gair rhydd | freeword Cardiff ’s student weekly Issue 1059 gair rhyddy Monday 5th October 2015 Also in this issue

Advice: Working for the UN at uni P10>>

Comment: Defining “disability” “No concern for safety” P13>> Student anger at taxi drivers t
Taxi drivers reported to have refused to take students travelling short distances in wake of recent sexual assaults (more on page 5) t
Students’ Union’s ‘Safe Taxi’ scheme compromised t
Students tell of drivers “fragrantly disregarding” complaints and using “tricks of the trade” to fl eece customers

when trying to fi nd a taxi home to Cr- Hackney Cabs Association refused to Anna Lewis wys Road. accept the misbehaviour of its taxis. Pictured: Politics: Corbyn’s first few weeks Talking to Gair Rhydd she said “by In a comment made to Wales On- A taxi pulled up ardiff taxi drivers have come this point I was outraged but also a line, chairman Mathab Khan stated on Catherine P18>> under fi re after refusing to drive little scared that I wouldn’t get a ride that “99 per cent of taxi drivers in Car- Street, near Cstudents for short distances, back when I was on my own. We had diff are very helpful”. Catahys Terrace only days after a series of sexual as- already been told not to go home by He added: “Our advice to our drivers (Photographer: saults and pressure for students to use ourselves since some of the attacks is to be as helpful as you possibly can, Anna Lewis) the Safe Taxi Scheme. had already occurred”, she said. especially to lone female students.” Despite both the University and “It is incredible to think that we have According to Khan, customers are police advising students to take taxis to beg them to do the job that they are only refused if they are too drunk to home following the attacks, taxi driv- there specifi cally to do and get paid travel. However this has been disput- ers have turned down requests to go for. Th ere is no concern for the safety ed by multiple students who made at- to areas such as Cathays due to their of their potential customers or aware- tempts to get home after working late close proximity to the city centre. ness of the danger their actions could in the city centre. Meanwhile, Cardiff University’s own put someone like me in.” Whilst Cardiff University has ad- taxi Scheme has come under scrutiny In a similar situation, Lois Cernyw vised its students to use its Safe Taxi by students, after voicing concerns also voiced her anger after asking Scheme during this time, some have that the system would have limited ef- seven diff erent taxi drivers to take her also expressed doubt about the system fect in the case of a real emergency. home from Cardiff Central without currently in place. At the height of security concerns luck. At the moment, those wishing to during Freshers’ week, third year stu- “Cardiff taxi men are a disgrace. It use the scheme, which allows people Science: Is there life on Mars? dent Bronwen Weatherby explained was at 12.30am,” she added. to travel even without enough money, Continued on that she was turned down fi ve times However, when confronted, Cardiff must prebook the taxi by phoning up page 4 P27>> 2 EDITORIAL

Gair Rhydd Coordinator Elaine Morgan Editor Joseph Atkinson Deputy Editor the free word Shanna Hamilton News Anna Lewis Stay safe and be represented Advice Gwen Williams Talk to us if you’ve been aff ected or feel like you don’t have a Comment Em Gates voice at university Charley Griffiths While the scheme has been rolled length of journey is truly awful. tant to undertake. David Williams Joseph Atkinson out eff ectively and the vast majority It is our responsibility to protect Too often students are taken ad- of students have been informed over each other in such times, and despite vantage of, whether it is by tricky taxi Columnist t’s been a pretty grim couple of a range of platforms, its introduction the fact that two men have now been drivers or landlords who think they Helena Hanson weeks in terms of student news in has not been without its issues. arrested following the attacks, there won’t care or won’t be able to do any- ICardiff . Firstly we saw three sexual With the Rugby World Cup current- remains an uneasy climate because of thing if they do. Th ere are plenty of Politics assaults take place in and around the ly ongoing, taxis have become harder the events. avenues off ered by the University and Carwyn Williams heavily student-populated areas of Ca- to come across in Cardiff especially on Th e ‘Safe Taxi’ scheme is not with- Students’ Union to help if you feel you Luke Brett thays, and there was also confi rmation game days. out its fl aws – the fact that taxis have have been treated unfairly or have had of a student death at a university hall However the reported behaviour of to be pre-booked in order for the pay- to pay over the odds for low-quality Science of residence. some taxi drivers from a number of ment scheme to be applicable is prob- services. Maria Mellor Th e SU has responded swiftly and students is nothing short of shocking, lematic. For example, how likely is And also, if you feel that you’ve responsibly to protect its students especially given the context. a student to think to pre-book a taxi been unfairly treated, talk to Gair Societies against the potential dangers that they In the aftermath of what has been a in a loud, busy club after a few vodka Rhydd. We’re always interested in Aletheia Nutt face on nights on in implementing the pretty sobering couple of weeks after doubles? representing students on issues that ‘Safe Taxi’ scheme, whereby a student the events of the Freshers’ period in Th is issue more broadly tackles they feel are unfair or are worthy of Taf-Od who has lost their money will book terms of the sexual assaults, the fact some of the archenemies of students, attention. Th e last couple of weeks Carwyn Williams a taxi, giving their name and student that vulnerable students on nights out starting with taxi drivers, and then have brought home that while student number, and then pay for the journey are being turned away from taxis on moving on to landlords and letting life might be a lot of fun and games, Park Life at a later date. the basis of fi nancial factors such as agencies. While the statistic that there are very real issues out there Vacant around 41% of student properties are that aff ect students. in need of repair work is pretty damn- A student newspaper should serve Sport CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS ing, it isn’t entirely surprising. the best interest of students and bring Jim Harris In our previous issue (no. 1058), dated 14th September 2015, in the article en- In second year the ceiling of our important issues to the attention of James Lloyd titled ‘Th e Gair Rhydd guide to STIs in the Science section, it was claimed that dining room caved in, and while the the wider world as well as the univer- Jason Roberts “Cardiff University has a sexual health clinic open in the Health Centre on Park landlord fi xed it quickly enough, it sity community. Th is is what we aim Jamie Smith Place”. Th is clinic has in fact been closed for for over a year. Th e GP surgery on was pretty much unusable for the rest to do, on top of being informative, en- Park Place now take appointments for sexual health issues during the daytime, of the year. Similarly, now in third tertaining, thought-provoking, and of Social Media Editor and are open 12:30-2:30pm Monday - Friday. Online articles have been updated year, there are an abundance of small as high a quality as possible. So stay Jack Boyce to refl ect this repairs that our landlord seems reluc- safe, and let us help. Proofreaders Lisa Carr Lizzie Harrett Nathasha Laytham Eleanor Parkyn THIS WEEK IN HISTORY: GAIR RHYDD 370 Want to be an editor? 03/10/1990 We have editorial vacancies in News, Politics Th is week in history, we look at issue 370 – way nold Schwarzenegger fi lm reviews and Royal Air and Science. Email editor@ back in October 1990: a time when many of you Force recruitment adverts, rather topically comes gairrhydd.com if you’re reading this were probably not around. Th e appar- up a story on nights out in the Student’s Union. interested. ent “accommodation crisis” is the front page story Topical only for one paragraph, where it is revealed as author Sion Hoskins reports that many of the that “out of the kindness of its heart and the depths Get involved 2,750 new undergraduates are “being forced to face of its pockets the Union provides free buses to the Editorial conferences are up to the fact that they will have to spend at least top of Albany Road”, intended for those students each Monday at 5pm. their fi rst few days of University in temporary ac- travelling to accommodation in Roath and further Proofreading takes place at commodation”. Pictured are a pair of fi rst year stu- afi eld after nights out. Now there’s an idea. 6pm on Thursdays in the media dents enjoying their “luxurious” temporary rooms. You’ll be familiar with the SU Event posters office during print weeks. Th e University’s Accommodation Offi ce was strug- placed in, around and all over the Union: obviously gling with the increased infl ux of students, who helpful for when fi nding out which bands are play- Write us a letter had supposedly gained high A-Level results in re- ing and when. It’s not a new phenomenon, but [email protected] cord numbers, and new undergraduates were being whilst this year it’s Catfi sh and Th e Bottlemen and Tweet us housed in hotels across the city and as far out as Jess Glynn we’re all waiting for, in 1990, “Th e Vic @gairrhydd Barry Island Holiday camp! Rather unusually, tem- Reeves Big Night Out” and “Pop Will Eat Itself” (I’ll porary accommodation was also provided for par- leave that one to your own imagination) were quite ents of those students still looking for permanent obviously the must see events in Cardiff ’s Union, At Gair Rhydd we take seriously our places to live: a policy the university will perhaps with prominent adverts in the events section. responsibility to maintain the highest possible not be rushing to bring back any time soon. Th e best headline of the issue is without doubt standards. Sometimes, because of deadline pressures, we may make some mistakes. If you Elsewhere on the front page, a pair of Iraqi stu- “16 tonnes of scaff olding and an astronaut son” – I believe we have fallen below the standards we dents were allegedly expelled from the University shall say no more. seek to uphold, please email editor@gairrhydd. and then later Britain for political activism. In a And to sport, where in typical Cardiff fashion, com. You can view our Ethical Policy rather astonishing, yet hugely amusing PR response, the rugby team recorded an impressive victory. Statement and Complaints Procedure at cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/complaints when asked how many Iraqi and Kuwaiti students Praised for beginning the season as if they had they expected to return for the new semester, the “played with each other through the close season”, Opinions expressed in editorials are not college said: “We will just have to wait until enrol- Cardiff beat Bangor by 19 points to 15, ensuring a reflective of Cardiff Student Media, who act as ment and see how many turn up”. Amazing. place in the next round of the hugely prestigious the publisher of Gair Rhydd in legal terms, and should not be considered official communica- As we delve deeper into this 20-page edition, Schweppes Cup was secured. tions or the organisation’s stance. Gair Rhydd past stories of union building refurbishments, Ar- - Jim Harris is a Post Office registered newspaper. EDITORIAL 3 Campus in Brief

ardiff University’s own Professor Sophie Pictured: Jack Boyce Gilliat-Ray has claimed that poverty, Islam- National International Jeremy Corbyn Cophobia and a lack of aspirations have been delivers a the factors to blame in the decisions of young Prime Minister David Cameron has been forced to US-backed Syrian rebels have said that they have keynote Welsh Muslims to go and fight for ISIS in Syria. As address the issue of slavery after a trade trip to Ja- been hit by Russian airstrikes, only two days into speech at the founder of the Cardiff Islam Centre, Professor Gil- maica was overshadowed by calls for the payment the Russian air campaign over the war-torn coun- Labour Party liat-Ray said she was “disappointed” in the news of billions of reparation money for Britain’s role in try. Th e Liwa Suquor al-Jabel rebel group, which conference that Nasser Muthana, 20, a former medical stu- the slave trade in the Caribbean. In an open letter, has previously undergone training from the CIA, (Photographer: dent from Heath, his brother Aseel Muthana, 17, leading academic Sir Hilary Beckles raised the issue, has stated that 20 missiles hit them on two diff erent Jonathan Brady) and Reyaad Khan, 21, fled to fight for the radical whilst also name-dropping General Sir James Duff , occasions. Sergey Shoygu, Russia’s Defence Min- terrorist group. Professor Gilliat-Ray stated she Cameron’s cousin six times removed who had 202 ister, defended the airstrikes and said that 12 ISIS would like to hear from returning ISIS fighters: slaves at the time the trade was abolished in 1833. targets were hit, including a command centre and “People are coming back from Syria and leaving Cameron has called for both countries to “move on two arms depots, although it has been reported that ISIS but we don’t hear their stories which would from this painful legacy and continue to build for the these were not held by ISIS. Shoygu rejected claims be powerful.” future,” whilst also promising to build a £25m prison that the Russian airstrikes were to help bolster the Plans for the designs of the new Cardiff bus in Jamaica to house 300 Jamaican citizens currently reign of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, stating interchange are set to be published four months in British jails along with £300m of aid to the region. that they were targeting the same terrorists groups ““People are later than scheduled. After proposals earlier in the In his fi rst speech as Labour’s new leader, Jeremy as the US. coming back year were revealed, Cardiff City Council stated it Corbyn has fi rmly placed housing as his top priority, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was aiming on publishing the designs in Decem- as he said, “Nowhere has Tory failure been so com- has raised eyebrows after he decided to bring his “US-backed from Syria and ber, but transport chief Ramesh Patel has now told plete and damaging”. Some of the key problems pin- 11-year-old son Kolya to work – all the way to the fellow councillors that they will not be published pointed by Corbyn included the number of families UN General Assembly, which was held in New York. Syrian rebels leaving ISIS until April or May. However, Cardiff Council is forced to move out of their local areas, family and Kolya was photographed posing alongside his father but we don’t maintaining that there will be no delays in the de- support networks due to housing shortages and wel- as they took pictures which USA President Barack have said that velopment schedule, which has the project finish- fare cuts. Corbyn reiterated Shadow Housing Minis- Obama and his wife Michelle, along with accompa- they have been hear their ing in early 2018. ter John Healey’s proposal to build 100,000 council nying his dad in the general assembly hall as he ad- A busy Cardiff street had to be closed after a fire and housing association homes a year, stating, “It’s dressed delegates from around the world. Th is isn’t hit by Russian stories which emerged from underneath the seating area of the quite simple and a good idea.” the fi rst time Kolya has gone abroad with his father would be Locke and Remedy pub. Trinity Street had to be A new law banning car drivers from smoking in on offi cial business, he has also be pictured during airstrikes, only closed and several shops near the area were evac- their vehicles if they are carrying children has come the Belarus President’s trips to countries such as the two days into powerful.” uated, along with other parts of the pedestrianised into eff ect in England and Wales. Th e law extends to United Arab Emirates, Pakistan and China. Professor Hayes as fire trucks were brought in to fight the anyone under the age of 18, and smokers are still lia- At least 11 people have died in the Turkish capital the Russian air flames, which initially looked to have come from ble even if windows are down or the sunroof is down. of Ankara after a bus hit a queue of people waiting campaign over Sophie Gillat- within the newly opened Locke and Remedy. Elec- However, the law does not aff ect those who smoke at a bus stop. Th e bus driver lost control of the bus tricity in surrounding businesses were affected which driving in a convertible and those who smoke in the central Dikimevi area of the city at around the war-torn Ray, Cardiff by the fire, while everything went back to normal e-cigarettes. Scotland is set to follow suit next year, 1pm, which then ploughed into the queue of com- University very quickly. The cause of the fire was deemed while Northern Ireland offi cials has stated that they muters before stopping around 70m further down country. to have come from an explosion and fire under- want to wait until they see the ban is working else- the street after hitting other pedestrians and parked ” ground and outside of the premises. where fi rst before implementing the law. cars. ” 4 NEWS

Editor: Anna Lewis @GairRhyddNews [email protected] news gairrhydd.com/news Cont’d: Taxi drivers refuse short fares

Dragons in advance. In response to the concerns, SU including being routinely overcharg- unjust and dangerous practice.” However, as pointed out by fourth President Claire Blakeway stated that ing customers and taking deliberately Lauren Smith added: “Th e situation year student Hannah Taylor, pre- discussions will take place with Drag- long routes to a destination. in Cardiff is out of control. Regularly Continued booking a taxi is always not feasible on Taxis to see whether the scheme Th is problem has been greatly ex- taxis have refused my journey be- “The situation from front in the case of an emergency. could be extended in future to in- acerbated by both the presence of the cause it’s too close.” in Cardiff is page “If you’re drunk then who is going clude all available drivers regardless Rugby World Cup in the city and the In response to the issue, local MP to be able to book a taxi?” of bookings. bus strike that took place last week. Jo Stevens has called on taxi fi rms to out of control. Another student added: “surely a She also appealed students to come Cardiff University student Mared ensure that they don’t refuse short ‘safe taxi scheme’ is supposed to help forward with their feedback. Parry said: “I’ve been charged so fairs. Reguarly taxis you at your most vulnerable, when Blakeway continued that ‘In the many upfront fees by black cab driv- In an attempt to resolve the issue, have refused you are alone and are struggling to meantime, we’re encouraging stu- ers. Th ey haven’t put their meter on Cardiff council are now appealing for get home? You are unlikely to have dents to plan their nights out and and charge us stupid prices, then people to report drivers overcharging my journey planned to be in this position, no one organise how they are getting home, sometimes ask for even more after customers or refusing journeys. Th e because it’s would choose to end up like this. so either by pre-booking a taxi or ensur- we’ve gotten to our destination!” council are requesting those aff ected how does it make sense that students ing they keep enough money to pay One angry customer took to Twit- to record the time, location, date, too close have to ring and prebook this taxi for a taxi home. ter to share their story as they ex- driver and registration plate to licens- fi rst?” Ultimately though the university plained: “Th e only driver that would ing@cardiff .gov.uk. Lauren Smith Whilst many students have ben- scheme has been established in order take us back home [Taff s Well] said It has also been announced that efi tted from the Safe Taxi Scheme in to help students in situations without we needed to pay £25 for a £15 fare. mystery shoppers will be used during the past, the ability to book a taxi is any money, rendering such advice Police were swamped with complaints upcoming rugby matches to test the is currently particularly problematic disputable. but were powerless to intervene. services provided by hackney cabs. ” at times of peak taxi demand, when However, the latest issues with Car- “Taxi drivers were fragrantly disre- If the mystery shoppers are refused cars are reserved for large amounts of diff taxis only form part of a list of on- garding any complaints and police in- or are overcharged then a maximum time. going issues experienced by students, tervention and continuing with their penalty of £500 will be issued. Death at university halls of residence

he University has confirmed the particular halls in question. treating the death as suspicious. fessional staff.” Anna Lewis that a first year student has However, it has been widely sug- A University spokesperson said: A letter has been sent to students Tdied at a halls of residencse. gested on social media that the in- “Our immediate thoughts and sym- informing them of the incident. The South Wales Police confirmed cident occurred at Senghennydd pathies are with the student’s family letter reads “unfortunately there has that they were called to the scene Court, where residents were in- at this extremely difficult time. Any- been a death on site. There is no at 10.22am on Thursday September formed of the news. one affected by this incident will be cause for concern and no suspicious 24h but have been unable to name The University is currently not offered support from a range of pro- circumstances.”

Majority of student housing below standard, report claims

early half of student houses However, the report released of- we don’t accept living in a horrible Sweet Home’ was also launched by Anna Lewis in Cathays are in need of im- fered little surprise to students living house as a rite of passage and it is student and non-profit organisation Pictured: Nprovement, according to a in substandard housing. crucial that these statistics are ana- Movement For Change in order to Forty one per report presented to Cardiff council. One third year English student lysed properly.” target landlords and agencies ac- cent of student In the report, which evaluated the explained to Gair Rhydd that within As a result, Delaney will continue cused of poor practice. houses in work of the Cathays Additional Li- a week of moving into their house, to implement a Good Housing Char- If any student are experiencing the Cathays censing Scheme implemented five water started leaking through their ter in line with developments started issues with housing standards then area need years ago, it was revealed that 71 per bathroom floor into the kitchen. by last year’s VP Welfare. they are recommended to visit the improvement cent of student houses in Cathays “It’s hardly a shock” she stated. Students have also grouped to- Student Advice facilities on the third due to negligent were below standard. “I’ve come to expect this from stu- gether to tackle the issue, as the So- floor of the Union. landlords. It has been suggested that inef- dent housing.” cialist Students Society held a meet- The Cardiff council website ‘Car- ficient landlords are responsible for Another third year Journalism stu- ing last week titled ‘Stop the Student diff Digs’ has also been specifically such malpractice, and have been dent explained that instead of fixing Rent Rip Off’. designed to provide advice for stu- slow to agree with new regulations. a broken sofa, the landlord respon- Last year the campaign ‘Home dent housing and living. “inefficient Aimed at improving issues with sible simply removed the faulty legs heating, waste management, burgla- and left the furniture on the floor. landlords are ries and anti-social behaviour, the The latest finding into the stand- regulations have instead been met ard of student housing has been met responsible with ‘widespread non-conformity’. with criticism by Students’ Union Of the hazards removed from the VP Welfare Kate Delaney, who stat- for such property since the start of the pro- ed: “It is not acceptable that students malpractice, gramme, 285 cases of ‘extreme’ cold continue to be victims to below have been eradicated compared to standard housing. as they have only 52 cases of damp and mould. Housing standards can drastically been slow Other issues include insufficient effect your health, both mentally fire safety facilities, potential haz- and physically and have an impact to agree ards, and questionable kitchen and on your studies. bathroom facilities. “[The council] need to look with new In response to the statistics re- at why the Additional Licensing regulations vealed, Cardiff council now wish to Scheme didn’t seem to work as well extend the scheme for a further five as it should. We as students need to ” years. make sure that they understand that NEWS 5 Th ese are not the fi rst attacks Students assaulted in February on way home from Flux

hile students have expressed tra measures beyond safety advice Shanna Wshock regarding recent as- were deemed unnecessary by the Pictured: Hamilton saults in the Cardiff area, it is not the groups of student staff we spoke to.” After a club first time Gair Rhydd has reported Gair Rhydd has since contacted night at the similar events. the Union to establish whether any Union, students In February of this year, two stu- new measures have been put into were assaulted dents were attacked in separate in- place. It appears that some student on their way cidents on their way home from the staff may have raised concerns. A home in Students’ Union after club night Union spokesperson said, “A small February ‘Flux’. number of enquiries have been re- (Photographer: One student, a staff member who ceived and we’ve dealt with their Greg was walking home after a shift at Y concerns on an individual basis.” McChesney) Plas, told Gair Rhydd, “I was walk- In response to queries about the ing back on my own and I made eye current response, the spokesperson contact with a guy who then started added, “We included safety mes- “Safety following me. As I got on to my road sages in staff briefings to students the guy attacked me from behind working evening shifts. Safety of our measures and I screamed extremely loudly but students and staff remains of para- was hit.” mount importance to us. Staff have were deemed Alex Joni, a 19-year-old man from been reminded nightly in team brief- unnecessary Newport, was later charged with ings to walk in groups and any staff harassment and assault for this at- feeling vulnerable should speak to by the groups tack. the manager on duty who can pro- of student staff This incident prompted discus- vide assistance.” sion to gauge the level of concern This follows the jist of general ad- we spoke to that student staff of the Union had vice from both South Wales Police about getting home safely and if and Cardiff University: to stay in SU there was need for intervention. Ac- pairs and stick to well-populated ar- Spokesperson cording to a spokesperson for the eas late at night, to look out for your Union, “A range of options were of- friends and plan your journey home ” fered but following discussions, ex- before going out. Arrests following city centre attacks Two men arrested but investigation remains ongoing

wo arrests have made in the tempted rape of a 19-year-old woman city. Gair Rhydd contacted Students’ Un- Shanna wake of three sexual assaults in the Civic Centre area of the city in “Crimes like this are never the vic- ion president Claire Blakeway to com- Hamilton Treported in Cardiff ’s city centre the early hours of September 24th. tim’s fault, but I would like to take this ment on the eff orts of the University and student-populated area of Cathays. No arrests have yet been made for a opportunity to remind everyone to and Students’ Union to promote such Remus Hamza, 40, appeared at Car- third assault which took place on the follow basic safety advice so they keep advice. She said, “While Cardiff is a safe “It still remains diff Magistrates’ Court last week ac- popular student street, Cathays Ter- themselves and their friends safe. city, we have worked with Cardiff Uni- cused of raping a 20-year-old woman race, on September 22nd. “Stay together when you’re out at versity and South Wales Police to fur- unclear near Cardiff University’s main building It still remains unclear whether these night, drink responsibly and make sure ther stress the importance of keeping whether these on September 20th. He is being re- incidents, which occurred during the you all go home together. Always plan safe whilst out and about.” manded in custody until appearing at University’s freshers’ week, are linked, your journey home, book a reputable “We strive to make our campus a incidents are Cardiff Crown Court on October 12th. and police continue to investigate. taxi fi rm, and if walking please keep to place where all our students feel safe Th e second arrest by South Wales Divisional Commander for Cardiff , well-lit areas.” and have taken strong action to fi ght linked and Police came last week. Khalid Alah- Chief Superintendent Belinda Davies, If students fi nd themselves with- lad culture. We have done this through police continue mandi, a 23-year-old student from the off ered safety advice to students of Car- out money, the University’s Safe Taxi engaging in the NUS anti lad-culture University of South Wales, is also ex- diff : “As our investigation continues we Scheme with Dragon Taxis can be used pilot scheme and running several ini- to investigate pected at Cardiff Crown Court on the want people to be able to go out, enjoy by phoning the company and using tiatives to promote zero tolerance to same date. Th is follows a charge of at- themselves and feel safe in our capital their student number. sexual harassment.” ” Summit planned to address city centre safety

he Deputy Police and Crime have a responsibility to look out for will be out in the city centre every Shanna Commissioner for South each other.” night of the week to help and assist Pictured: Hamilton TWales Police, Sophie Howe, Public service leaders as well as any revellers who may be in distress. Cardiff Street has criticised those who “seek to senior figures from universities will Director of Cardiff Street Pastors, Pastors are in profit by encouraging young people meet businesses to discuss impor- Gary Smith said: “We love this city the city every to take things to excess, regardless tant steps to take, while the police and have been distressed to read night to assist of the consequences”, and will join investigation into the events re- about the attacks. In turn this has those who need nighttime businesses in a summit to mains ongoing. During the next few made people feel anxious and vul- help. review safety after a spate of attacks months, similar summits will take nerable and we want to do what we (Source: in Cardiff city centre. place across the country at other can to make the streets safer and Guardian The Deputy Commissioner also university towns. visitors to the city centre feel safer.” Cardiff , Flickr) added, “We want everyone to recog- Other organisations are also keen “We have always been busy during nise their role and responsibility in to take their share of responsibil- the student freshers’ period but with keeping people safe and to act when ity in looking out for others. Cardiff the Rugby World Cup, the bars and someone becomes at risk. We all Street Pastors, a voluntary group, clubs are even busier than normal.” 6 NEWS University celebrates rise in global rankings

ardiff University has risen dra- the top 151-200 world university list- ing the construction of a £300m in- well in the Times’ World Higher Edu- Anna Lewis matically in the global Times ing. novation campus, it is hoped that the ca rankings as a whole, with 78 insti- CHigher Education rankings, to Praising the University’s progress, global status of the institution will tutions making the top 800 list. “With mixed reach its highest position in six years. Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin continue to rise in future. Coming second only to America, In the Times’ World University Riordan said: “It’s gratifying to see Preceded by a drop in both the which boasted 147 universities in results in the Rankings the University was placed us make substantial progress in the Complete University Guide and the rankings, the UK currently holds recent past, 182nd, compared to 208th last year. Times Higher Education world rank- Guardian University League Table, three institutions in the Times top Th e news compared favourably ings so soon after a pleasing result in the Times’ rankings provide a wel- ten. the Times’ in comparison to the University’s the QS table.” come change. In comparison, the progress of rankings performance in other recent league Last year month, it was announced As stated in Riordan’s future plans, American institutions has declined, tables, which placed the Cardiff in a that Cardiff moved up one place in named the Way Forward, Cardiff as the number of US universities in provide a less favourable light. the annual QS table to be positioned aims to be placed in the top 100 uni- the top 100 decreased by 11 places. Th is includes the Shanghai Jiao at 122. versities according to the QS World Oxford was named as the second welcome University’s world rankings, where However, with major developments rankings by 2017. best university globally, while Cam- change Cardiff dropped a ranking to sit in set to take place over campus, includ- British universities have also fared bridge came in at fourth place. ” Nightclub promoters trespass into halls

tudents have complained of night tributing promotional materials will Anna Lewis club promoters entering fl ats and be asked to leave immediately. We Shouses without permission, de- also proactively write to local pubs spite breaking University policy. and clubs to advise them of our pol- Th ose in halls of residence across icy.” the University have described the In spite of this, according to one behaviour of nightclub staff as ‘per- fi rst year living in Talybont North, sistent’ and stubborn, often hanging promoters have been found waiting at around houses for long amounts of the doors of student houses until they time when giving out fl yers and pro- are let in, or entering the premises as We“ ended up motions during Freshers week. others return from University. However, according to University “We ended up with one guy who with one guy regulations, promoters are not al- was promoting glam in our kitchen. promoting lowed to enter University premises to He doesn’t even go to Cardiff Univer- distribute materials. sity but goes to Cardiff Met” said Jack Glam in our A Cardiff University spokesperson Williams. houses, including those located at the “We do however recognise that, explained: “We have a very clear pol- “Flyers are left and thrown all over top of the building. despite our best eff orts, promoters Pictured: kitchen. He icy, we do not allow promoters to en- the place. It’s like cold callers or door- When asked about the rules en- still enter and distribute materials, es- Flyers littering doesn’t even ter or distribute materials on student to-door sales- very annoying espe- forced on their promotional staff pecially during Freshers’ week. halls in Cardiff residences.” cially when cooking. We end up not Glam nightclub failed to respond. Students who encounter distribu- (Photo:Anna go to Cardiff According to the spokesperson, wanting to answer the door.” However, Cardiff University did ac- tors within their halls of residence are Lewis) University security and members of residences Students in Senghennydd Court knowledge that during Fresher’s week encouraged to report the event imme- staff “proactively enforce this policy. and Hall have also complained of the in particular promoters continue to diately to University security by call- ” Th ey continued: “Anyone seen dis- presence of promoters in multiple enter halls of residence. ing 02920474444. Outrage as Dapper Laughs to perform in Cardiff Students’ Union criticises comedian’s return ardiff University Students’ turn, the Students’ Union continued: campaign received national media during one comedy show after al- Anna Lewis Union has openly condemned “Dapper Laugh’s ‘comedy’ encour- attention. legedly stating that one woman was Ccomedian Dapper Laughs, ages men to trivialise their own be- The comedian’s new tour, named ‘gagging for a rape’ during one of his after it was announced that he will haviour in order to remove account- ‘The Res-erection’, comes despite shows. be performing in the capital city in ability from themselves. O’Reilly promising to ‘retire’ the In November 2015 the ITV an- October. “Ignoring consent is unaccepta- character of Dapper Laughs last year. nounced that it would not renew the Despite being banned from per- ble and illegal, and any organisation O’Reilly incited widespread anger comedian’s show ‘On the Pull.’ forming in the SU last year, Dapper that endorses Dapper Laughs is, by Laughs has agreed to perform at extension, condoning his behaviour Glam nightclub on October 14th. and the misogyny that he seeks to Pictured: However, both students and mem- reinforce. The Students’ Union takes Controversial bers of the union have expressed a strong stance against anything that comedian “Despite their anger at the decision. will encourage this.” Daniel O’Reilly In line with its Anti-Lad policy, Complaints against the comedi- is set to being the Students’ Union released a state- an’s return to Cardiff have also been perform in ment explaining that “misogynistic voiced on social media, as Comedy Cardiff banned from attitudes and behaviour, which Dap- Cardiff tweeted: “Dapper Laughs is performing per Laughs perpetuates, contributes returning to Cardiff. We do not con- to the fact that 1/7 women students sider what he does IS comedy. It is at the SU, are seriously sexually or physically vicious, nasty and harmful misogy- Dapper assaulted during their time as a stu- ny, which has no place”. dent.” One student commented: “So an- Laughs has Daniel O’Reilly, better known noyed that Cardiff is coming back to as Dapper Laughs, attracted wide- Cardiff”. agreed to spread criticism last year after ver- Last year, a petition was created by perform at bally abusing a Cardiff University a Cardiff student calling for the SU student on Twitter last year, telling to ban the sexist comedian in order Glam her to ‘Fuck off’. to support its Anti-Lad policy. Gain- ” In response to the comedian’s re- ing more than 700 signatures, the NEWS 7 Cathays receives facelift as council bans ‘for rent’ signs

tudent letting agencies have been many streets of the student populated as ‘free advertising’. Ramesh Patel, the new stricter regu- Anna Lewis ordered to take down all lettings area of Cathays. New designs will include limits lations have been imposed due to a Pictured: Ssigns in Cathays, due to regula- It has also been suggested that the on the size, shape and font of letting lack of control over the situation in To let signs on tions enforced by Cardiff Council last signs create potential risks for in- signs. Under the new law, boards the past. Miskin Street week. creased burglaries and vandalism, as must also me removed no more than “Rules under advertising legislation (Photographer: On Th ursday October 1st the coun- they suggest that houses are usually fourteen days after a new tenancy has have been largely ignored and impos- Gair Rhydd) “Letting cil launched a complete ban on ‘to let’ left vacant during the Christmas and been signed. sible to enforce eff ectively,” Patel ex- boards displayed on all houses in both Easter holidays. Letting agents will also be prevent- plained. signs create the Cathays and Plasnewydd area. According to research, houses with ed from displaying more than three “For some time we have received potential risks Estate agents found in breach of ‘To Let’ signs in Cathays are almost boards per street. comments and complaints about the new regulations will be given 48 twice as likely to be broken into. In order to ensure that the new the letting boards which seem to be for increased hours to remove the off ending signs. As a result, the ban of signs has criteria is met, the council has an- continually up in Cathays and Plas- burglaries and If this is not done then a fi ne will be been launched from October 1st to nounced that it will fi ne estate agen- newydd. enforced. December 31st. After this period a cies a maximum of £2,500, with a “Th is seems to be free advertising vandalism Th e change was ordered after com- limited design will be off ered to estate daily additional charge of £250 until for the agents while being visually plaints were made about the large agents to use, in order to overcome the problem is resolved. detrimental for the residents living in ” quantity of unsightly letting signs on criticisms that current designs serve According to Cardiff Councillor these areas.” University announces new research institutes Five “fl agship” projects launched to tackle major problems facing humanity

ardiff University is launch- issues. the short time since the original in- economy and the environment.” Shanna ing five new flagship centres This launch will double the cur- stitutes were formed in 2011, their The opening of these centres also Hamilton Cto tackle some of the biggest rent number of research institutes to pioneering work in areas ranging comes at a time when Cardiff Uni- “Cardiff global problems we face, as part of a total of nine, some of which have from drug discovery to neurological versity has broken into the top 200 of its bid to land a spot in the top 100 already had huge success in their disease has already signalled to the the Times Higher Education World University education institutions in the world. work. world Cardiff’s strengths and inten- University Rankings, the highest po- has a strong Vice Chancellor Colin Riordan The European Cancer Stem Cell tions as a global university. sition the University has achieved said, “We want our new institutes Institute has in the past two years Economy Minister Edwina Hart, since 2009. track record to send a clear message that we have managed to develop a cancer drug speaking of the launch, said: “Cardiff The Vice-Chancellor comment- the critical mass and the academic that has been licensed by a phar- University has a strong track record ed: “It’s gratifying to see us make of producing excellence to make a difference to maceutical company, with the hope of producing world-class research substantial progress in the Times world-class major problems facing humanity, the drug will make its way to human with social and economic impact, Higher Education world rankings so and in these fields we intend to be clinical trials. which contributes strongly to the soon after a pleasing result in the QS research world leaders. It is hoped similar institutes will Welsh Government’s ambition for a table.” Edwina Hart, These new institutes will target be hubs of excellence that will attract stronger science base. “We aim to be a respected global major chronic disease, crime and se- the best scientists and propel Cardiff “These new research institutes university so it is important to be Economy curity, as well as efficient water and University into the top 100 of the QS will bring together academics from recognised in the league tables but energy use. Experts will also try to World University rankings by 2017. a range of disciplines to tackle the our focus is always on our core ac- Minister harnessing ‘Big Data’ to tackle such The Vice Chancellor added, “In major challenges facing society, the tivities of teaching and research.” ” 8 ADVICE

Editor: Gwen Williams @GairRhyddAdv [email protected] advice gairrhydd.com/advice Your guide to personal safety at university

Pictured: Gorsedd Gardens outside Cardiff City Hall was the site of one of the recent alleged sexual assaults (Photographer: Yummifruitbat)

Always“ be aware of accepting drinks from strangers and leaving drinks unattended, as this leaves you at risk of being spiked

n light of the horrible events that tended, as this leaves you at risk of finance office. However, there have the nearest shop or takeaway and ” Gwen occurred during Freshers’ week, being spiked. Personally, I buy all of been some problems with taxi driv- explain the situation to staff as they Williams Iit’s important for us to take a mo- my own drinks and usually get bot- ers refusing to accept student cards may be able to help you. Also try and ment to think about our personal tled drinks as you can easily cover and refusing to take people on short book a taxi the rest of the way home safety. Although some argue that the top with your thumb to prevent taxi journeys so I would strongly ad- if you can. these precautions shouldn’t be nec- anything contaminating it. vise that you take taxi money with If you have to get a train home late essary as people should know how to As winter sets in, it will get darker you on a night out to avoid a situ- at night, try and go from a manned behave appropriately towards others much earlier in the evenings. As po- ation like this. If at any point a taxi station such as Cardiff Central as it in the first place, we cannot pretend lice and university representatives driver refuses to take you home, take is far busier than secluded stops such that these incidents don’t occur. have advised, do not walk anywhere a photograph of the number plate as Cathays etc. When you are on the Okay, I must stress that they are alone at these times. There are sev- and make a complaint to the main train, sit in a carriage where there rare, but they do happen. Having eral ways to avoid this. Firstly, walk office. are several people and ensure that said that, do not let these incidents in pairs or groups as there is safety in If you have no other alternative there is someone to meet you when “Before leaving linger in the forefront of your mind numbers. Whether you are walking but to walk home, stay on main you get off the train. and frighten you into not going out. home from late afternoon lectures or roads that are well lit for as long as Finally I’d like to stress that this If“ you feel that the house, Part of the university experience is from a night out at the pub, ask some possible. Ensure you notify someone does not only apply to girls. I have going out with your friends and hav- friends to drop you off on their way that you are leaving, where you are heard of cases where boys have been you are being make sure ing fun after all. Just always be aware back to their house. going to and when you arrive. Hav- mugged or beaten up by a gang of followed while that your and ask yourself “what steps can Alternatively, make sure you take ing someone forget to text you that drunks on their walk home from a I take to be safer?” Here are some extra money on a night out in order they got home can be worrying. night out. Boys tend to forget that walking home, phone is fully things to think about: to get a taxi home. There are several If any of my friends have to walk they are also at risk because they go into the charged and Before leaving the house, make reliable taxi companies that operate home alone, I stay on the phone feel they are “too tall” for someone sure that your phone is fully charged around Cardiff, so there will be one with them for the duration of their to hurt them or believe they could nearest shop that you have and that you have minutes / credit to available whether you book or get journey so that I know they are okay. handle themselves if something did keep in contact with others. It’s al- one from the several taxi ranks out- Make sure you constantly ask them happen. or takeaway minutes or ways a good idea to store the num- side various clubs in the city. where they are so that you can notify The reality is that none of that and explain credit to keep ber of a taxi company in your phone, The university are also running the emergency services with your would matter if you found yourself just in case you are stranded. Drink a ‘safe taxi’ scheme where you can whereabouts quickly if anything did being attacked by a group of people the situation to in contact with responsibly while out and always show your student card to a Dragon happen. at three o’clock in the morning. Any- staff others be aware of accepting drinks from Taxis taxi driver and pay the fare at If you feel that you are being fol- one could be at risk. So please folks, ” strangers and leaving drinks unat- a later date at the Students’ Union lowed while walking home, go into be sensible and be safe! ” ADVICE 9 What I did when I graduated...

llison Lewis is a ‘Group Field management directly after I left uni- I fi rst had to go through the rankings generally preparing key messages and Gwen Administration Development versity so I was good to go. to a higher level in the company to presentation slides to support the Pictured: Williams AManager’ for an international During this time, I found opportu- get more knowledge and experience. projects I am working on. Graduating credit provider in Leeds. In this in- nities to work for other sign-writing I achieved this within a few years and Much of my time is spent in meet- with an arts terview, she explains how she took a companies and the local council for this meant relocating again in the UK. ings to give business advice and to get degree doesn’t rather unconventional route to her one-off projects as well as fi nding a Eventually, I was off ered a position details of how various systems should necessarily chosen career. private client that wanted extensive in Poland as a ‘business development work. During these meetings, I spend mean dodging paint eff ects and various fi nishes manager’. Th is was my fi rst assign- a lot of time trying to persuade others the offi ce your What does your job entail? throughout her mansion house that ment and I stayed two and a half to buy into a vision they simply can- whole life I am a key member of the Sales & Ser- she was renovating. Th is gave me new years before joining the team at the not see. (Photographer: vice Performance team and my role is contacts and I registered with the ELS head offi ce. I also have to plan for my trips Th eMuuj / to ensure that administration pro- (Education and Lecturing Services). I have been in Leeds for almost abroad, all the time managing my Flickr) vides adequate control and business Th rough this I got an opportunity to eight years and having had various budgets and when I get back, I have support. Th e Administration func- lecture part time in interior design positions (project manager, compli- to write up reports on what was tion over the next three years will be and specialist paint fi nishes. ance manager, fi eld performance, achieved. in a state of transition/transforma- Due to the fact that this was only change implementation). Today I am From time to time, I am involved in tion because new technology will be part-time and to ensure I could con- responsible for over 1,000 staff across other things as well like internal au- introduced. tinue to work for myself, I also took the markets, which is a great chal- dit and fraud matters, particularly if As a result, the manual transac- on a job as a money collector for lenge. it has been committed by one of the tional activities will cease and change Provident. Th is introduced me to admin staff members. Th is is rare but will be implemented across the very diff erent worlds. By day I was What do you like about your job? does happen. group. I am responsible for leading spending time painting ceilings to I travel 50 per cent of the time and am the group’s strategy and making this look like the Sistine chapel for an ex- fortunate to be able to see the world. Do you have any tips for students change happen whilst ensuring eff ec- ballerina. On two nights a week I had I love being involved in transforma- who might be interested in this ca- tive and effi cient business continua- to drive around less fortunate areas tional change and getting opportu- reer path? tion. to collect weekly loan payments as an nities for personal development. I My career path has been obscure as On a regular basis I provide direc- agent. frequently get opportunities to learn it’s a little off -track, but what I would tion to the markets where we operate Th e customers relied on me for from external consultants and to take say is don’t be afraid to put yourself in Europe and Mexico and work in various things. Some elderly people extra courses, which is all good for out there to try diff erent things. If collaboration with remote teams to welcomed my visit as they saw no one CV building. you get into an international compa- optimise our administration teams. else and were glad to see someone ny, be kind to yourself as business and My roles also include ensuring con- who could assist with fi lling in forms. Is there anything about your job travel can be quite stressful and very “By day I was trol is maintained, increasing pro- Others quite frankly did everything that you dislike? tiring. Take advantage of any training ductivity and reducing operating to avoid me. Th is was diffi cult to Yes, defi nitely! Firstly, it’s very diffi - opportunities ‘in-house’ or available spending costs. handle and having this role gave me cult is to maintain the relationships to you through the HR department Networking is time painting some life skills so I felt ready to face you have built with the people in the as it’s always good to learn new skills. “ What educational and career steps the world. markets and also to maintain how Networking is very important. very important. ceilings to look did you take to get to where you are At this point I still wasn’t sure what groups are perceived by the markets. Th ere is a large element of not what now? I wanted to do. Th erefore I decided Th ey think that head offi ce is like big you know but who you know and There is a like the Sistine After completing my A-levels, I did a to move back to South Wales and brother watching them constantly never forget the importance of a large element chapel for an one year foundation course in design be closer to my family. Th is was the and I am not sure they really under- sponsor – they can make or break to be able to get into university. I was point where my career path com- stand the value that we bring to them. your career. of not what ex-ballerina. not particularly academic but graph- pletely changed. Often you get the sense that they you know but On two nights ics and art and design came naturally I applied for a manager’s position at say “yes, yes, yes” when you are there What advice would you give your to me. I went on to study three-di- Provident. Being an agent had given and then when you have left their side student self with hindsight? who you know a week I had mensional design and innovation at me a great insight into how to man- they pull in the opposite direction, Take full advantage of the course you the University of South Wales. age and support a team of ten. At the which can be very frustrating. are doing and start to get some expe- and never to drive around After graduating, I worked within time this was just a temporary thing Another major thing about my job rience in your line of work prior to forget the less fortunate the art/design fi eld, fi rstly as a sign for me, but I found that I thoroughly I dislike is when we are told to deliver leaving uni. workshop supervisor for a pub and enjoyed the job and decided to con- signifi cant change to our back offi ce. However, it’s not the end of the importance of areas to collect restaurant company in Salisbury and tinue working for them. I picked up Unfortunately, this usually results in world if you end up somewhere dif- a sponsor – weekly loan then on various roles in the sign-writ- the fi nance aspect of the job along the people being made redundant, which ferent so don’t stress if you’re not ing and graphics world. As I began to way and saw exciting opportunities to I absolutely hate doing. sure what you want to do yet. I was they can make payments as build up some contacts, I realised be able to go on secondment to our fortunate enough to get many oppor- that I would be able to go it alone, international markets across Europe/ Describe a typical work day for tunities to explore diff erent career or break your an agent so I set myself up as a self-employed Mexico. you? paths and as a result but have built a visual artist. I had previously taken In order to get the opportunity to My fi rst job in the morning is read- successful career over 17 years doing career ” a course in business ownership and go to a market to be a trouble shooter ing and sending lots of emails and something that is totally unrelated. ” 10 ADVICE Change the world through the web: join the UN online service! Do you want to use your free time helping others? Become an online United Nations volunteer: join up without leaving your house and help make the world a better place.

he United Nation’s Online Volun- make a diff erence in the world. Karla Tteering Service (UNV) has been Th rough her work with Delta Wom- Pequenino joining volunteers and non-governa- en, she was able to build a school in ble organisations through the Internet Nigeria for children who had no ac- since 2000. Th e process is very simple: cess to education. However, Kirthi create a UN volunteer account, select says that her tale is not intended to be your skills and areas of interest, then a “personal success story, but a way to start helping. Th ere are hundreds of show how successful and fruitful an opportunities available, including online connection can be.” writing, editing, design, translation and research, all of which can be done Cardiff students are unaware, but with a computer. However, more tech- interested nical tasks such as web development Quick queries around Cardiff Univer- also exist. sity show few students are aware of Despite its age and benefi ts, few are this service, but the interest is clear aware of this useful UN service. While throughout the campus. Laura Rich- you have to be at least 25 to volunteer ards, who is currently studying His- abroad with the UN, it is possible to tory said she would love to join: “I join online at any age and no higher never heard of the programme before, education diploma is required. If you but I have previously volunteered. I have passion and time then you are participated in a teaching programme perfect. in Zambia and would love to dedicate some time to online volunteering, es- Real experiences: More than some- pecially as it is related to the UN”. thing to “enrich my resume” Millie Smith, who studies Business, “Quick queries Joining UNV Online Service is also a is also interested, “I suppose it would 5 Ways... great way to enhance your resume and be a great experience for those inter- around Cardiff gain real work experience with non- ested and talented with diff erent lan- University profi t companies. Kirthi Jayakumar, guages.” On the other hand, Aniket, an to brace yourself for those a UN online volunteer confesses im- international student in urban design, show few proving her CV was her initial purpose wonders if his experience in archi- students are for joining the service. During a UNV tecture would be useful. Our advice? Partnerships Forum last September Probably. Th e UNV off ers many op- winter bugs aware of this she explained: “When I was fi lling out portunities and many organisations my application form to become an on- only ask for helpful opinions. service, but line volunteer I just had one thing in According to the UN, the Online oughs and colds are already ask about your vaccination history the interest mind: I was doing something to enrich Volunteering Service already has the spreading like wildfire among are your parents and your GP. Pictured: my resume.” support of 9,500 individuals from 130 Cthe student population and Above: A guide is clear When Kirthi joined the Online Vol- diff erent countries. If you are inter- there’s not much you can really do 3. Stock up on cold and flu rem- to volunteering unteering Service as a recent law grad- ested in volunteering online, explore about it. Winter is coming... and so edies early to the UN throughout the uate from India, she didn’t know that the United Nation’s volunteering ser- are the bugs! Here are my top five online (Source: campus an online programme would allow her vice at: tips on how to prepare for the al- The last thing you want when you’re Karla Pequino) to collaborate with 20 diff erent or- www.onlinevolunteering.org. most unavoidable: feeling unwell is to have to get out of Left: Th e ganisations in less than four years and Helping others is just a click away. bed and go to the pharmacy or alter- UN General 1. Register with your local GP natively suffer without medicine. Assembly ” (Source: Pine/ You never know when a cold will 4. Embrace the fact that you will Wikipedia) turn into a nasty infection. Spare probably get ill yourself the trouble when you’re ill and go and fill in those medical Worrying about catching the several forms sooner rather than later. cold and flu viruses floating around will do you no favours and could 2. Check that all of your even make you more susceptible to vaccinations are up to date catching them.

When coming into regular contact 5. Wash your hands regularly with so many people it is better to be safe than sorry. This is particularly This doesn’t mean that you won’t relevant at the moment as students catch a virus but it will lower the are being urged to get the meningitis chances of you getting anything W vaccination. The best people to from contact with surfaces. NOV TH 149 FROM ONLY £ NOV - SUNDAY 15 - SUNDAY NOV TH CARDIFFSTUDENTS.COM/DUBLIN

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Photo: Giuseppe Milo 12 COMMENT

Editors: Em Gates Charley Griffiths David Williams @GairRhyddCom [email protected] comment gairrhydd.com/comment Is David Cameron telling porkies?

nless you’ve been living written by none other than Lord scorned by Lord Ashcroft, but how to vote for and to trust. Young Bethan under a rock for the past Ashcroft himself. many more PigGate stories are people in predominantly poorer Williams Uweek, you’ve probably heard The biography ‘Call Me Dave’ floating about out there, unknown areas of the country are imprisoned more than enough about #PigGate. features more than just the pig to the general public because for possession of marijuana but we The internet and newspapers have allegation but, frankly, nobody we’re excluded from exclusive let politicians off the hook for the been going mad about the allegation cares. The biography, which was societies made up by our country’s same mistakes because, after all, we against David Cameron by ex-Tory co-authored by journalist Isabel politicians? These are the same were the ones who entrusted them to donor Lord Ashcroft and, honestly, Oakeshott, also claims that Cameron politicians that we are then expected run our country. quite rightly so. used to smoke weed with Oakeshott The allegation that David whilst listening to a Supertramp Cameron put the “private part of his album during his Oxford days and Pictured: anatomy” into a dead pig’s mouth that Cameron knew about Ashcroft’s David Cameron as part of an initiation in the oh- non-dom tax status well before he (Source: so-exclusive Piers Gaveston club at claimed he did. Independent Oxford University is not something The former is more embarrassing Online) that can be easily forgotten. than anything but the latter is a Unfortunately for a lot us, the much more important claim, and it image is scorched into our minds, leaves a lot of questions unanswered. “These are even if David Cameron and Tory But more than anything, it leaves us, officials have denied its truth. But the public, with a bitter taste in our the same PigGate is a lot more than just mouths. We know very little about politicians that “David Cameron did something very those we’ve elected into power and strange with a dead pig”. what we do know is not written in we are then PigGate gives us a broader image stone, which is quite worrying with expected to of all those at the top of the political all the power they have. food chain, and perhaps that is more When we look at the wider picture vote for and worrying than what Dave does in his we can see that out of the country’s spare time. 54 Prime Ministers, 41 have been trust to run The allegations made against educated at Oxbridge. Whatever this country David Cameron were published by your opinion of David Cameron, this the Daily Mail in conjunction with scandal is important. David Cameron ” the release an unofficial biography may have been unlucky that he was Are student halls too expensive?

s Talybont Gate opens it’s pay a lump sum once a semester that as it is, let alone being duped out of heating on, or even if next door is Em Gates doors for the second year, covers your rent, bills and cleaning money just because we as fi rst time blasting house music at 4am in exam Pictured: AGair Rhydd looks into the service. Th is kind of eff ortless living students know no better. season… You will never get that Talybont Gate cost of student accommodation. will probably never happen again un- Halls are where you make your fi rst peace of mind again, and that is es- Residences Cardiff University’s brochure of less you move back in with your par- university friends. Th ey are where sentially what you are paying for. So (Source: Cardiff halls is both extensive and daunt- ents. Second and third year bills are you learn to look after yourself, and yes, Cardiff University halls of resi- Students) ing. When fi rst opening it as an A- paid separately from rent, and it’s you to look after others. Th ey may be dences could be better quality, and level student, I had no idea which who has to sort them out with direct expensive, and bloody expensive at they could be cheaper, but we are to pick and whether it even made a debits and such. Th e heating isn’t al- that, but housing will only be more very lucky compared to bigger cit- diff erence to the university experi- ways on, you’re paying for every drop hard work after that year. In halls ies like London where accommoda- ence. Reading through the booklet, I of water you use, and there isn’t go- you don’t need to worry if you leave tion isn’t even guaranteed! So while saw no diff erence between Talybont ing to be a person who comes in and a light on over night, or that your you may have to count the pennies in North, University Halls and Colum mops the fl oor once a week. clothes will get mouldy on the airer fi rst year, enjoy it, because it all goes Road. Th e prices boggled me, and in But Cardiff is by no means the because you can’t aff ord to put the downhill from there. the end I just put down a bunch of most expensive halls in the UK. Th e preferences with halls that had en- Guardian last week printed a story suites. about accommodation in London With Aberdare Hall, Taly North that costs over £5,000 a week, total- “You will never and Colum Road sharing the role as ling to £21,000 a month! Although cheapest halls, it is still quite a big this is obviously luxury accommo- get that peace “Aberdare, chunk of money, at just under £3,600 dation aimed at richer students, a of mind again, a year. And those are the cheapest! number of students in London strug- Taly North Talybont Court and Talybont Gate gle to fi nd aff ordable housing when and that is and Colum both lead as the most expensive, their university didn’t have any space essentially being over a grand pricier than the left in their own halls of residences. Road are the cheapest, at just over £4,800. So it’s Gair Rhydd has spoken to a student what you are cheapest halls clear to see that halls are not the studying at UCFB in Wembley, pay- cheapest of options for accommoda- ing over £250 a week for his halls, paying for at just under tion at university. Th e main reason which in reality are not as perfect as that we pay these fees is because of the price implies. Many of the func- £3,600 a year the pure ease of it. You are allocated tions such as gas hob and Wi-Fi are accommodation randomly (though either temperamental or just don’t ” ” based on your preferences) and you work. Starting university is daunting COMMENT 13 Flushing the stigma of disabilities down the toilet

he Equality Act of 2010 defi nes reason- you cannot see them. In my it is one that impacts my daily life. I form of endometriosis (a common yet Charley disability as any physical or opinion, making assumptions when must always be aware where the clos- relatively unknown condition, despite Griffiths Tmental impairment that ‘sub- seeing someone mobile using the est toilets are whenever I am out; this one in ten women suff ering from it at stantially’ impacts your ability to do disabled facilities is simple ignorance is usually a disabled one. I have little some point in their lives) also talked normal daily activities over the ‘long and lack of awareness.” control on when I have urges to go to to me about her experiences of hav- term’. Th ere is rightfully much in place I also talked to a Cardiff University the toilet, and the act of ‘going’ can ing an internal disability. “Cells from to support those with physical dis- student with long term health and often be a long and physically painful my abdomen travel around my body abilities, but does the same apply to mobility issues. She said: “I don’t use process for me. causing my organs to fuse together disabilities that are not obvious or ex- an aid or wheelchair to get around; Not to mention I already strongly and bleed internally. One moment I “Many ternal? What about those people who usually people can’t tell I have a hid- disliked having to use public toi- feel fi ne and the next I can be in crip- disabilities There are are told: “You don’t look disabled?” den disability. I feel as if I am being lets before I was diagnosed. I know, pling pain and lose control of my legs.” around 11.9 I particularly want to talk about judged when using disabled toilets, so a great combination. But as fellow Evidently, this is very painful, and she are called million disa- toilets here, as you may have guessed I only use them if there is a big queue women will understand, queues can went on to say she has used disabled bled people from my attempt at a witty title. Many and I won’t be able to physically stand often be long in the ladies toilets. toilets as there is “always a possibility invisible for a in the UK. people who don’t ‘look’ disabled feel and wait in it. I wish it wasn’t like that, So when IBS strikes, I can’t wait. If I at any time” that she could lose mobil- reason. Making judged and embarrassed for having as they are there to be used.” had to go and couldn’t, it would ob- ity when in extreme pain. This is rough- to use these facilities, even when it is When asked if she felt there was viously be extremely embarrassing Th ere are multiple other conditions assumptions ly 19% of the perfectly in their rights. a negative stigma surrounding ‘hid- and inconvenient. Yet, similar to my that entitle someone to use these fa- when seeing population. Th ere are so many disabilities that den’ disabilities, she agreed that “as interviewee, I have received tuts and cilities, too many to list here. Th ink of are not visible, and disability isn’t lim- it’s very under-discussed, it’s a taboo. disapproving looks when opening people with bladder conditions who someone 56% have an ited to those with mobility issues, as I came out of the disabled toilet once the disabled door, accused of queue may use things like urostomy bags, as impairment the symbol would suggest. I am not and there was someone in a wheel- jumping and being disrespectful. I feel well as the multiple conditions that mobile using relatig to taking away from the 56 per cent of chair waiting. I felt bad even though I like I shouldn’t be using them, even can aff ect the bowel, and all other disabled mobility. disabled people in the UK with mo- shouldn’t have.” while I am having severe stomach organs for that matter. What about bility impairments, but I think it is As someone who suff ers from Irri- cramps that make it painful to walk mental disabilities? I could go on, but facilities (Source: time to address the other 44 per cent. table Bowel Syndrome (IBS), I on rare whilst having an ‘attack’ of IBS and I think my point has been made. We shows lack of www.livability. When I spoke to Diana Isajeva, the occasions have used disabled toilets in immediate action needs to be taken. I shouldn’t be deciding who is ‘entitled’ org.uk) Students’ With Disabilities Offi cer at an emergency. While I agree it isn’t a can’t control this, and I shouldn’t feel to use or not to use the facilities spe- awareness the Union, she addressed that “many ‘serious’ condition (though one in fi ve ashamed. cifi cally catered for them, whether disabilities are called invisible for a people have it, so it is a common one), A friend who suff ers from a severe they ‘look’ disabled or not. ” Letting Agencies- Let us off !

Pictured: Around November these signs will be everywhere (Source: Bart Everson)

ccommodation is always a to immediately decide on accommo- bear thinking about. Although you you to sign for a property don’t crum- Will stress, being such an essential dation details. Having worked part may think one of your fl atmates is ble, there are enough for everyone. Thompson Apart of going to university. Re- time for a student letting agency back a right laugh at the moment, when Many have sorted it by Christmas, as turning students will defi nitely know home, I know the ins and outs of how they’re coming in at fi ve in the morn- that is half way through the academic the hassle of sorting out somewhere it all works, all the behind-the-scene ing all week, you will have wished you year (hard to believe I know) and will to live. If you’re a fresher reading this, info and why there is such pressure. thought ahead fi rst! So take your time give you comfort knowing that you then you may feel like you haven’t even Th e fi rst thing you need to know is when considering who you really want have somewhere to stay next year. But had time to get your head together that the agencies will do pretty much to be living with. Th e only reason the there are still decent houses left in the yet, probably not helped by the many, anything to squeeze every penny from agencies rush you is to get your money latter half of the year, and this is what “There are many tequila shots you still have in you and expertly dodge any blame for in their pockets as soon as possible. letting agents often fail to specify. still decent your system. things that aren’t up to scratch. It’s a Most of the time there will be implica- It’s a big decision to make, but never But within the next couple of weeks very shady fi eld, and the letting agents tions when you actually do move in if rush into anything without knowing houses left in when you’ve fi nally settled in, the are impossible to deal with most of you rush everything. all the details and fees. Get the agents question of house letting while arise the time. As I said before, returning However, you really don’t want to to explain everything to you and don’t the latter part and may suddenly scare you. Th e students will understand me, but fi rst be left with no options. As soon as be afraid to ask questions – they’ve pf the year, year passes by incredibly fast, causing years beware! You may feel like you’ve you have decided on who you’re liv- heard it all before! Try not to be con- many students to organise their hous- got the best deal when suddenly they’ll ing with, book in some viewings for frontational with them either, from which letting ing too soon. drop the bombshell that you need to houses. Obviously most of us want experience they never back down and agents Although it’s true that to get the best pay the agency fees on top of every- the cheapest option but don’t sacrifi ce you will come off worse so be patient properties and avoid living in squalor thing else! quality, you will regret it when you and understanding. At the end of the often fail to (seriously, trust me I’ve seen it) you Th e pressure is placed on us stu- are living in a cave-like, dingy fl at that day, no matter how unhelpful they have to be quick, I feel like there is dents to get a house sorted ASAP, smells like old sick! Just because the may seem, they are there to provide a specify too much pressure placed on students but there are many components that letting agents put a lot of pressure on service to you. ” 14 COMMENT For and Against: Music should be separated from the artist.

for one am not a Directioner. I Jackson dangled his baby over a bal- here are many kinds of music Then you have individuals like For: could not care less about Harry cony, but he is still undoubtedly the that I might not personally Chris Brown. Not only is he a con- Against: Em Gates I Styles, but I have to admit, their King of Pop, and Kanye West is well Tlike, but at the same time, I victed of domestic abuse and a vio- Daniel songs are damn catchy. If ‘Best Song established as the most self-absorbed can understand how somebody else lent mess, he actually had the stones Heard Ever’ comes on in the club, you will man in the business, yet all are worth would. Christian Rock. Punk. Heavy to play the victim card, claiming that find me on the dance floor shouting millions. The music can be treated as Metal. Disco. he was “misunderstood.” Misunder- the lyrics at the ceiling and plain old separate, especially if their scandals There are people who have feel- stood? There are some things that embarrassing myself. So yeah, even don’t impact the music they’re mak- ings that can only be reflected in warrant a second chance, but what though I’m not the biggest fan of the ing. I personally don’t want to live in music, and those are feelings I may Brown did- and continues to do- is band, and I think I can only name two a world where no one ever gets a sec- not personally understand. Is it de- unforgiveable. Yet, his songs con- of the members, I still genuinely love ond chance, as I myself would like to pressing to think that someone’s tinue to sell, and tons of fans, both their music. The first time I heard be given the opportunity if I ever find life and mind might exist in such a male and female, swarm to his live Justin Bieber’s ‘What do you mean?’ myself in trouble. Very rarely do peo- way that they could see something shows. on the radio, I thought it was a good ple seek to make trouble, so giving like ‘Playing with Fire’ by N-Dubz as Supporting his music career es- song. But ultimately when I found out them a lifetime punishment seems uplifting? Well, yes, obviously, but sentially condones his actions. It it was Bieber… I just didn’t really care. bizarrely unfair. that’s not the same thing as having sends out a message that celebrities Songs and their artists are part and It is entirely possible to disassociate no idea why they like it. can get away with it, simply because parcel of the music experience, you the personality of Miley Cyrus from I’m not going to take the easy they are famous. Not only that, “Michael can’t dislike a song just because of the the tune of her songs, which in actu- route of castigating the likes of one there was even a spike of disturbing “There are artist, that seems like not liking a pair ality are incredibly catchy. Liking the Justin Bieber here. He’s just a prod- tweets by young women begging to Jackson of Levi jeans because you dislike the beat of ‘Wrecking Ball’ doesn’t mean uct, a brand effectively. I can under- be beaten by him. If this is what now some things dangled his retailer? You can appreciate a song I’m going to instantly become a Miley stand how people like his music, or defines artistic control, then I think that warrant and not like the person who made it, Cyrus fangirl. I just don’t think she even him himself, because it is spe- we’re all in deep trouble. baby over a because after all, these artists must should be taken off the radio when cifically designed to be in the main- So, before I go and download a second balcony, but have massive followings for a reason. she is actually making music that stream. But at the end of the day, he Miley Cyrus’s latest tune (note the You shouldn’t let the person get in the people like, just the same as Beyoncé has been convicted of assault and sarcasm), all I will say is that artists chance, but he is still way of songs and albums which can making an awful song wouldn’t cause driving under the influence, and he can either be defined by what kind what Chris genuinely be good music. uproar in the industry. What I’m try- is still making money, whereas any of output (cheesy, or cultivated) they undoubtedly While some mistakes are worse ing to say is that there are so many civilian would definitely struggle in produce in the recording studio, or Brown did is the king of than others, everybody does make factors to take into account when their career after that. Why should what they produce to show police unforgiveable them. Everyone seems to forget that listening to music, but shouldn’t the they carry on and have a successful when pulled over for drunk-driving, pop Cheryl Fernandez-Versini assaulted quality of the song be the most im- music career when they are actually or worse. Until then, we’ll keep on ” a toilet attendant in 2003, Michael portant? a bad person? listening. ”

“I can understand why people like Bieber’s music, he was designed to be in the mainstream ”

Pictured: One Direction (Photographer: John Wright) COMMENT 15

Is Cardiff really the best city in the UK?

ecent research has suggested of several World Cup games and will Although Cardiff is an increasingly ally as great as these polls are making David Cardiff is the best city in the UK host the semi-fi nals. Th e Castle and modern city, it retains lots of heritage it out to be? A survey we conducted Pictured: Williams Rto live in for young adults. Re- City Hall welcomed world leaders as and history. Th e 2,000 year old castle with over 50 young people who live Cardiff Bay searchers, commissioned by Legal & part of the highly anticipated NATO sits at the heart of the city, and many in the capital, asking a range of ques- (Source: Elliott General, spoke with more than 2,000 summit last year, and in 2016 Cardiff of the old shopping arcades remain tions about Cardiff . 70 per cent of the Brown) 18-30 years olds across the UK, con- will host the World Half Marathon occupied. young people agreed the with state- cluding Cardiff was the best city for Championships. Th e development of As well as all the great things the ment ‘Cardiff is the best city in the young adults. Some of the major fac- the sports village in Cardiff Bay has city has to off er, there are some issues UK to live in.’. But doesn’t this go to tors that helped them reach this deci- brought an Olympic size swimming that let it down. Th e crime rate is high show how passionate young people sion were an average wage of £21,585 pool, ice rink and white water rafting in suburban and student areas, with feel about the city they live in? Par- and 70 per cent of participants saying centre. Th e capital clearly now has frequent burglaries and drug use. ticipants believed the university was they both loved their job and were a variety of excellent venues, which While there are many people living the city’s best asset, followed by shop- happy with their work-life balance. makes it attractive to many events or- in luxury, a large amount of people ping and restaurants. “The excellent Over the last decade Cardiff has ganisers. live below the poverty line, with some Cardiff is a city that young peo- venues make developed massively. From the regen- Being a student city the night- of these places being run down with ple become connected to. Th e small eration of Cardiff Bay to the opening life is consistently busy and there anti-social behaviour. Furthermore, size means that people get to know the city of the St David’s shopping centre, the is somewhere to party every night sexual assaults have also recently the city very well in a short period attractive city has truly earned its place on the of the week. Drink prices are low in grabbed the headlines in the city, rais- of time, including the best places to map. Th e growing city is attractive comparison to other UK cities, and ing questions over the safety of the go and the little quirks. Th e social “Cardiff is for many to many employers with many busi- the size of the city means that most vast student population. atmosphere allows people to get in- nesses turning to Cardiff as their cen- things are within walking distance, Th ough these events are largely volved. Th ere are always big events a city that events and tral location, including insurance gi- saving money on taxi fares and avoid- impressive, the transport links in and happening in the city, meaning there organisers ant Admiral who recently opened its ing the traffi c on the roads. out of the city are not built to cope is always something to do or see. young people head quarters in the centre, creating As well as the lively activity of with the heavy infl ux of people. Th ese Cardiff is a great place to live, but seem to grow hundreds of jobs. events and nightlife, calmness and are all discussions that are increas- in order to grow, and attract more Cardiff is playing host to more and tranquillity can be found in one of ingly in the news and something that business the city will have to expand a connection ” more world events every year, espe- the many city parks and green spac- the people of Cardiff are complaining and change to cope with the fl ow of cially in the world of sport. Th e Mil- es. Cardiff has more green space per about. people. Th en it will retain its title as with lennium Stadium is currently the site person than any other city in the UK. But the main question is, is it re- “best city to live in in the UK”. ” What do you love about Cardiff? What do you hate about Cardiff? Victoria, 21: Jake, 21: Briley, 20: Jamie, 21: Ellie, 19: Charley, 21: Mollie, 18: Vicky, 21: Em, 20: Ryan, 19: Everyone is Cardiff is small It has enough Leaning over There’s The amount of The public The recent sex Paying for The traffic can really friendly in enough to have going on to be a your English something homless people transport links. attacks have carrier bags, I be a pain. the city and you a real sense of bustling urban mate at the for everyone; on the streets. Especially on cast a shadow always forget always bump community but area but its cash machine its culturally There’s more match days! on what I once and never into people you large enough to snmall enough and selecting diverse and and more all You can’t go considered have the right know. be a city that to keep its the Welsh there is the time. anywhere. the safest city change on never stands quirks. language something around. me. still. option. going on to suit everyone. "!  $

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"!!$#   $ THE GAIR RHYDD COLUMN 17 “But that’s what internet pornography taught me sir”

If sex education for young people is coming principally from porn, can we really be surprised boys and girls have such distorted understandings of body image and consent?

aving only left high school cisely what is ‘supposed’ to happen. the gentleman proceeds to apolo- are not consenting to having sex with Helena a year ago, I recall sex edu- And because nobody is candidly and gise and go home for some beans on you. Th is is not part of the routine. Pictured: Hanson Hcation excruciatingly viv- unequivocally answering these kids’ toast.” Because in pornography, the Th is is not just something that is just Scenes from an idly. Sex ed, or PSE as we called it, questions, they are looking to porn women don’t say “no”. And if they said. Th is is a criminal off ence. Th is is ‘anti-patriarchy’ stretched no further than a power- for solutions. And here is where did, it is nothing more than a line in a sexual assault. demonstration point presentation of vomit-inducing things start to go terribly, terribly script that means nothing at all. And this needs to be the responsi- (Photographer: photographs of stage 99 syphilis- wrong. Little boys do not jump out of bed bility of parents, particularly of young Steve Rhodes) covered genitals (don’t Google it) I do not propose a live, human one morning and think, “you know boys. Not because they are boys, and and a few fun facts and fi gures about demonstration of ‘ordinary, typi- what, I think during sex a lady would not because they are all evil, little teenage pregnancies. My area had cal, 100 per cent entirely, absolutely like to be hit in the face quite hard potential-rapists, just simply because the most in Wales, a statistic which NORMAL sex’ in the classroom, be- and be called a little slut. Yes, that they are generally exposed to porn, prompted two boys in my year nine cause obviously there is no such thing sounds like a pleasant experience sex and violence more than girls are class to high-fi ve. What we were (and of course that would be wrong, for her.” Something teaches them to at that age. But similarly, young girls “When young told was less of “how to ensure you for more reasons than one). But a think that. Perhaps it comes from need to be made aware that men can are having safe, consensual sex with start is discussing things like loca- little Ricky in the playground who say no too, and that they must be people have all someone important to you,” but rath- tion. For example, a taxi is not appro- said that his brother in year ten told equally respected, and that giving a their questions er more comparable to the advice priate. Neither is a club. Or a disabled him that only horrible and dirty girls taxi driver a quickie will never, ever Regardless given on Mean Girls - just don’t have toilet. Openly talking about oral sex, have hair between their legs, because be an acceptable way of paying your “ answered, and sex, because you WILL get pregnant foreplay, addressing that individuals when he fl icked through Zoo not a fare. of where this begin to realise (and subsequently die.) prefer diff erent things, take varying single woman had a stray pube. Or I have no qualms that that con- Bizarrely, I remember sex educa- amounts of time to become aroused, perhaps it was shooting 35 prosti- versation will be uncomfortable and dangerous sex is less tion as something of an excitement and so on. When young people have tutes just for the banter every night weird for everyone involved, but it misinformation in school. Not because rolling a con- all their questions answered, and be- on GTA that taught little Robbie to is so, so important. Parents can’t glamorous and dom onto a banana was a particularly gin to realise sex is less glamorous disrespect women. Regardless of keep optimistically ignorant that or prejudice more complex, pleasing experience, but because and more complex, perhaps we will where this dangerous misinforma- the school is teaching them, because comes from, each time we had this indefatigable start to see a change in attitudes. tion or prejudice comes from, some- most of them aren’t. Yes it is awkward perhaps we hope we were going to learn some- Can we really be that surprised body needs to stand up and correct and embarrassing and generally hor- somebody will start to thing a little more valuable. I think that some young men do not un- it. Teenagers need to be told that it is rendous to sit down and discuss con- we all just wanted a how-to. Sex in derstand the word “no”? Because in not normal for a woman to perform sent and relationships and sex with needs to stand see a change your early teens is a big deal, and at pornography, “no” actually does not oral sex on a man for three hours, or your son, but I’ll bet it’s a whole lot up and correct an age when we were all anxious and mean “no”. I don’t watch porn, but I have sex with him and his 21 broth- less awkward, embarrassing and gen- in attitudes insecure and embarrassed by it, we am doubtful Pornhub has a category ers or make sure they know that if erally horrendous than seeing them it ” just wanted someone to tell us pre- for: “When the lady says no, and thus somebody says “no”, this means they being taken away in a police car. ” 18 POLITICS

Editors: Carwyn Williams Luke Brett @GairRhyddPol [email protected] politics gairrhydd.com/politics We need to talk about Jeremy...

eremy Corbyn’s election on the serve in either a senior or junior min- become wary of PMQs, despite Da- asking questions rather than one di- Rhys 12th September sent shockwaves isterial role. Heavyweights such as vid Cameron’s promise way back in rect leader. Th is should change in the Pictured: Thomas Jthroughout the political world. Yvette Cooper and Chukka Umunna 2005 to “end Punch and Judy politics”, coming months as he gets used to be- Jeremy Corbyn Th e ‘Labour establishment’ was left combined with up-and-coming stars it has broadly descended into slang- ing at the despatch box. at the No More stunned and US Presidential hopeful like Dan Jarvis all said ‘no’ to their ing matches with no real attempt at Who knows what the future holds War event at Bernie Sanders delighted. For Cor- new leader. answering questions. Corbyn’s style for Corbyn. He has survived the La- Parliament byn, this result was merely an end Despite this setback there were still however, is much calmer and direct. bour conference and is still justifi ably Square in to the beginning, and the start of the enough people willing to serve, and His tactic of asking questions from in a honeymoon period on the back August biggest fi ght in his political life. the fi nal Shadow Cabinet comprised “real people” (politico-speak for you of the biggest-ever mandate for any (Photographer: During the leadership campaign a majority of women for the fi rst time and I) meant that the Prime Minister British political leader and a well- Gary Knight) he was attacked by Labour luminar- in British history. In addition, there couldn’t be too sneering and dismiss- recieved conference speech. Will the ies, such as Tony Blair and Alastair were only three ‘Corbyn loyalists’ in- ive. As a result, the viewing public idle chatter amongst Labour back- Campbell, but the Conservatives and cluded: Abbott (International Devel- would have learned more from their benchers be just that - or will they right-wing press had generally kept opment), John Trickett (Communi- leaders - although Corbyn’s question- make the unprecedented move of their powder dry - waiting for a Cor- ties and Local Government) and John ing was a little scattered and in the dumping a leader in-between elec- byn victory so they could launch a McDonnell, Corbyn’s campaign chief style of six diff erent backbenchers tions? Time will tell. full-scale assault on the new Leader and Shadow Chancellor. Selecting of the Opposition. Th e fi rst offi cial only these three allayed fears of the Tory attack pulled no punches - “a Labour left taking over, and the rest What about the other candidates? threat to our national security, our are from the more moderate sections economic security and your family’s of the Party. Senior fi gures such as security”. Th is was followed up in the leadership runner-up Andy Burnham Andy Burnham Yvette Cooper press by various smaller scale jabs - (Home), Hilary Benn (Foreign) and After coming second in the contest, Th ird placed candidate Cooper articles about an old relationship with Angela Eagle (Business, First Secre- with 19 per cent of the vote, Burnham refused to serve in Corbyn’s cabinet, “He has new frontbencher Diane Abbott (in- tary of State) amongst others have has since accepted a role in Jeremy becoming a backbencher for the fi rst cluding a motorbike holiday around remained, bolstering Corbyn and La- Corbyn’s fi rst Shadow Cabinet, being time since 1999. She will now focus survived the East Germany) and the divorce of his bour’s top team. At the time of writ- the Shadow Home Secretary. her attention on a responce to the Labour con- second wife over their child’s school- ing, there have been no resignations At the conference, Burnham had current refugee crisis in Europe. ing were two of the pieces to come and the new leader has managed obvously conceded defeat, shifting ference and is out in the days after September 12th. Labour’s ‘broad church’ and splits as party policy in his role by dropping Liz Kendall At the time of Th e fi rst major challenge after his well as could be expected with a col- “ it’s opposition to Police and Crime As the least recognised candidate still justifiably victory speech was assembling a legial style of leadership. Comissioners. He also pleaded to in the leadersip contest, Kendall writing, there in a honey- Shadow Cabinet. Few leaders have Th e next big challenge came in the other party MPs “I stand here because also refused to serve under Corbyn. have been no trouble selecting people (patronage is form of Prime Minister’s Questions, I promised you I would always put Seen as the most ‘Blairite’ candidate, moon period a powerful thing, unless you’re Den- where we saw Corbyn’s ‘new style party fi rst”, going on to say “I ask my her measly 4.5 per cent of the vote resignations nis Skinner), but Corbyn was left with of politics’ just before the break for colleagues to do the same.” brought ‘New Labour’ to an end. ” scores of his own MP’s refusing to party conferences. Most people have ” POLITICS 19 Th e Gair Rhydd Conference update Labour hit by divisions but promises new politics n the weeks following Jeremy Cor- of his short tenure as head of the ing that nuclear disarmament would silenced”. Toby byn’s surprise victory in the Labour party. His speech was smattered with put thousands of jobs in jeopardy. One of the most noticeable speech- Holloway leadership elections, a torrent of short, snappy sentences as he pledged Th e rift in the party over the topic, es at the conference was delivered by Ipublic and media attention alike has “Politics that’s kinder, more inclusive” which has been labelled as disastrous John McDonnell, Jeremy Corbyn’s Corbyn is surrounded the party and the new and “Above all, straight talking. Hon- for the new leader, did not deter Cor- close political ally and shadow chan- “ Leader of the Opposition. Th is meant est”. byn from his warpath of nuclear con- cellor. In an eff ort to lessen his repu- clearly intent that there was an increased interest in Corbyn is clearly intent on continu- traposition, as he declared: “I don’t tation as a divisive, far-left fi gure in the annual Labour Party Conference, ing with the ‘inclusive’ style of politics believe £100 billion on a new genera- British politics, McDonnell opened on continuing which took place this week. that he demonstrated at Prime Min- tion of nuclear weapons taking up a his speech by reassuring the audience with the Corbyn delivered the keynote ister’s Questions on September 16th, quarter of our defence budget is the that “this is not my usual rant, they get speech, while his right-hand man, where he broke tradition by asking right way forward”. It is evident that me into trouble and Jeremy has told ‘inclusive’ style shadow chancellor John McDon- David Cameron questions sent in by Corbyn will continue to oppose the me to behave myself”. of politics nell, set out Labour’s plans for the members of the public, rather than renewal of Trident, despite a lack of Both McDonnell and Corbyn have UK economy should they succeed at ones he had prepared himself. support from his own party. received criticism and scrutiny by the next general election. Here is a Th e rest of Corbyn’s speech saw him Th e Labour women’s conference media of the radical, far-left activism round up of the key points from the make pledges to challenge austerity also took place, where Yvette Cooper of their past, and it seems that they ” conference, as well as those from the under the Conservatives, highlighted condemned the online “misogynis- are eager to appear as a more electable women’s conference, where defeated a plan for “100,000 new council and tic abuse” that has been suff ered in force, rather than simply a leftist fl ash Labour leadership candidate Yvette housing association homes a year”, a number of political campaigns this in the plan. McDonnell also outlined Cooper also spoke. and reiterated his desire to dispose of year by leading Labour women. After his plans to oppose austerity, with the Jerrmy Corbyn’s keynote speech Trident, Britain’s nuclear deterrent. highlighting instances where women rich targeted should Labour win the was the main focal point of the con- Th e Labour leader faced fi erce op- such as herself and Harriet Harman next election. As well as increasing ference and reinforced the new La- position from within his own party received online abuse from opposi- inheritance tax, McDonnell pledged bour leader’s commitment to the over the issue this week, as trade un- tion supporters, she stated that “Un- to “force people like Starbucks, Voda- honest, direct, ‘no-nonsense’ political ions rejected the possibility of debat- less misogyny on the internet is chal- fone, Amazon and Google and all the delivery that has been the trademark ing the matter at the conference, argu- lenged, more women’s voices will be others to pay their fair share of taxes”. UKIP: We need to unite eurosceptics oncaster was the location for “Do you honestly think that Labour was at the centre of a feud between Adam UKIP’s autumn conference. voters who came to UKIP in Doncas- himself and UKIP’s biggest donor, Muspratt DAfter a tough few months for ter, agree with Mr Corbyn that we Aaron Banks. Th e UKIP MP vowed the party; inter-party spats, leader Ni- should get rid of the Queen?” Th e se- to remain a loyal to the Business for gel Farage resigning and un-resigning, ries of questions was met with cries of Britain group, as opposed to the mul- and of course their disappointing elec- “no!” from the audience. ti-millionaires Leave.EU campaign, tion results which saw them win one He also attacked by Corbyn’s U- rather contradictory to the message seat despite achieving 4 million votes. turn in regard to his EU referendum put forth in Farage’s speech just mo- Regardless, there is a sense that with- position, before criticising David ments prior, stating that the anti-EU “Do you out UKIP there would be no referen- Cameron’s negotiation skills. “He isn’t camp was united. dum at all. asking for our membership fee of £50 However, not everyone was there to honestly think As expected, the focus was on Ni- million a day to be reduced”, making support UKIP. Th e conference drew gel Farage’s keynote. Th e most notable a jab at the PM - referring to him the the attention of the anti-UKIP group, that Labour announcement of his non auto-cued “piggy in the middle,” of the referen- Stand Up To UKIP, who protested the speech was the establishment of an dum debate. event in small numbers of around 30- voters who umbrella group to unite the diff erent Another notable speaker was Mike 40. Th e protesters held placards stat- came to UKIP Eurosceptic organisations. “I’m im- Hookem, MEP, he said that, “the vast ing that UKIP were “fascists and “rac- pressed with what Aaron Banks and majority of people I met were eco- ists”. in Doncaster, the men and women around him have nomic migrants” concerning those Overall, the aff air was perhaps less agree with Mr done, in putting together the non- fl eeing the refugee crisis. In terms of exciting than last years which saw the political party and umbrella group: policy announcements Mark Reckless, defection of Mark Reckless from the Corbyn that we Leave.EU.” Th at was the core message outlined how UKIP would no longer Tories, and a remarkably higher turn- of his keynote, that the Eurosceptic be supporting an inheritance tax abo- out. Th e united Eurosceptic umbrella should get rid campaign was now a unifi ed front. lition which would have cost £5 bil- group is a step in the right direction of the Queen? He also took a swipe at the Labour lion. Alternatively, £5 billion will be to show solidarity for their cause, party, aimed at some of Corbyn’s spent to raise public sector pay by 5%, but to remain credible UKIP needs Nigel Farage viewpoints, claiming they would not benefi ting the public sector in Wales solve its internal issues. On the other that Cameron, Sturgeon, Corbyn, and be able to regain lost voters who had in the upcoming Assembly elections. end of the spectrum, seeing how the Farron hardly see eye to eye with each ” made the switch to UKIP. Douglas Carswell, UKIP’s only MP, Stay-campaign will co-operate, given other will be interesting. Electoral reform plea from the Green Party

th the other two confer- byn effect. Carwyn ences taking most of the Electoral reform was a main part Pictured: Williams Wheadlines, the Green Par- of Natalie Bennett’s speech, urging Above: ty conference, held in Bournmouth, Corbyn to get the Labour party to Nigel Farage went by quite quietly. Many outside back a change in our voting system. (Photographer: the party feel as the Corbyn tide will She added that the “tottering” major- Michael Vadon) take voters and members from the ity the Conservatives have could be Left: Natalie party, as they opt for a left wing La- overturned to create a “fair, simple” Bennett at an bour party with a higher chance of system. Bennett also praised Syriza anti austerity gaining power. Josiah Mortimer of in Greece as the future of European protest in June Bright Green reported that Jeremy politics, insisting that British poli- (Source: Green Corbyn was like the elephant in the tics is slowly coming over to Green Solidarity room at the party conference, with Party’s turf. The Green Party’s next Against little debate about where the Green challenge will be to increase on their Austerity) Party goes from here, with the Cor- General Election success next year. 20 POLITICS Donald Trump: Is he really appealing to Americans?

or years, Donald Trump’s slogan ernments, industries, businesses, and Daniel Heard was “Huge!”. Really, only three investors to do what he wants and to Fthings about Donald Trump are work with him to achieve his goals. huge: His ‘hair’, his bank balance, and Yet, his cons appear to far out- his desire to become the next Presi- weigh his pros. Despite being well- dent of the United States. But what is educated on fi nance, Trump often the chance of this? Just how on earth seems extremely prone to embrace could “Th e Donald” become presi- uninformed positions that turn into dent? For one thing, his background major embarrassments for him, such has been pretty well examined, and as his promotion of the ‘Obama isn’t what you see is pretty much what you a U.S. citizen’ myth, his disparaging get. He has been a real estate devel- remarks over Senator John McCain’s oper, an entrepreneur, and was even war record (“He’s a war hero ‘cause the original host of ‘Th e Apprentice’, he was captured. I like people that not been surrounded with people to enrich himself at the expense of so he isn’t an unknown commodity. weren’t captured, OK?”), his over- who might disagree and even try to society and other people, so that he Pictured: His business experience involves hyping of the anti-vaccination myths, oppose him, so he doesn’t have expe- protects himself from risk by getting Donald Trump negotiations with business leaders and repeated comments that give the rience building a team designed for governments and banks to shoul- speaking “At times, he and even governments around the appearance (correct or not) that he purposes other than promoting his der more of the burden and let him in 2011 world, and he likely has connections doesn’t check facts or stay informed own narrow agenda and providing in- off the hook more cheaply. Th is lack (Photographer: has been behind the scenes that surpass those about serious issues. More worry- formation that might be in contrast to of adequate responsibility, coupled Gage Skidmore) repeatedly of simply purely political candidates, ingly, he’s repeatedly made com- his own position and goals. with repeated failures on a large scale which gives him keen, realistic in- ments that many people felt had ra- He often seems impulsive and adds up to undermine his reputation accused sights into economics in diff erent cial undertones, including messages more interested in self-promotion as bringing good fi nancial experience of being parts of the world, as well as additional on Twitter asserting that black and than necessarily accomplishing sig- and expertise to the presidency. avenues to pursue trade agreements. Latino citizens commit most violent nifi cant goals- even his fi nances are Trump reminds us that there is a untrustworthy, Furthermore, he has a confi dence crimes in major cities. geared heavily toward promoting his solid percentage of Americans out Yet his cons and powerful personality that, like it At times, he has been repeatedly personal brand and making him more there who feel utterly ignored and “ by investors or not, tends to work well in politics. accused of being untrustworthy, by money for further self-promotion, neglected by the candidates that both appear to far and buyers as He is also undeniably a great negotia- investors and buyers as well as others, with much of his behaviour in public parties have put forward to date, but tor, and despite his bombastic public and some of the accusations include seeming largely motivated by gar- Republicans and Democrats alike outweigh his well as others statements he has also mastered the allegations of fraud. Trump’s leader- nering attention. Th e fact he’s been would be making a mistake if they as- pros fi ne art of navigating complex deals ship in business has allowed him to through bankruptcy and openly ad- sumed that nobody was listening to ” and convincing a wide variety of gov- push his demands through, and he’s mits manipulating bankruptcy laws someone like Donald Trump. ” Refugee crisis: We expore the reaction from diff erent countries

ver recent weeks, thousands as it would not be possible to enforce dren and orphans being the priority. businesses have started a campaign to Conor of migrants from North Africa given the EU open-door policy. Th e USA have also donated $4 billion provide migrants with jobs which they Holohan Ohave walked through Europe Austrian Chancellor Faumann and to Syria’s neighbours since the crisis consider preferable to having them be- It will be the in search of a better standard of living other EU leaders blame Orban for the began. come state dependent. Germany are “ - a displacement the size of which has chaos they experienced when they Rachel Maskell, Labour York MP, expecting 800,000 migrants this year. poorer sections not been seen since World War II. Th e were forced to open the doors to thou- in a speech this week said “20,000 is Th e Hungarian Prime Minister has Migrant Crisis has sparked a range of sands of migrants who had passed not enough. 30,000 is not enough” and a valid point: With an open door poli- of European reactions from diff erent European po- through Hungary, many of whom explained that is does not matter if cy, these migrants may relocate them- societies litical heavyweights as well as the citi- complained of human rights viola- things are “slightly harder”, we should selves wherever in the EU they see fi t. zens they govern. tions. push our limits to reach “saturation Regardless of their ideologies, what whose David Cameron believes there is Within Austria, their right-wing point.” we must remember about those who ‘no number’ of Syrian’s you can accept party Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia hold power in Europe, is that it is not resources will that will make the crisis disappear, and have doubled their share of their and Hungary have all voted against the their lives that will be changed by this be stretched he has been transparent about plans to vote in regional elections held since mandatory quotas suggested by the mass migration. It will be the poorer keep much aid work based outside of the crisis began to now 30.4 per cent EU. Upon losing the vote, the Slova- sections of European societies whose the UK. Th us far, the UK have donated of the vote as Vienna expects nearly kian Prime Minister said he would not resources will be stretched. Th ere are more money in aid to help the crisis three times the number of asylum accept the quotas. Finland abstained fundamental questions to be asked ” than any other EU member state. applications compared to last year. from the vote, and Poland voted in fa- about whether such a commitment Cameron expressed how the Crisis Th ousands of migrants have travelled vour of quotas. to the migrants should be decided by ‘complicates’ the British debate on EU through Austria in recent weeks and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Mer- a majority vote, or a unanimous deci- membership whilst speaking to the the FPÖ call for border fencing and kel and the biggest domestic German sion. Wall Street Journal. It’s clear that the take a stance of anti-immigration and Crisis makes it harder for Cameron to ‘anti-islamisation’. make a case for Britain remaining in A total of 120,000 persons who are Pictured: “France the EU. deemed “in clear need of international A rubber boat EU interior ministers have approved protection” will be moved from Hun- carrying 50 and Britain a plan to relocate 120,000 migrants gary, Greece and Italy to other EU na- migrants and across Europe over the space of two tions, many of whom are trying to pre- refugees arriv- will take a years. Germany and France have ad- pare work for the migrants to “satisfy ing in the Greek combined total vocated quotas in order to evenly dis- labour demands.” island of Kos tribute the migrants across the Union, France and Britain will take a com- (Photographer: of 44,000 though Hungarian Prime Minister bined total of 44,000 - France taking Christopher Viktor Orban has said that it doesn’t 24,000 over two years and Britain tak- Jahn) ” make sense to have a quota system ing 20,000 over fi ve years, with chil- POLITICS 21

Devolution plans are neither robust nor durable s it stands, Wales has a model about law-making powers. According ers are kept should be based on ‘wider Th erefore, Westminster needs to Georgina of devolution that is signifi - to the Commission on Devolution in principles about how a devolved UK focus now on making sure the new Crespi Acantly diff erent to Scotland Wales this would reduce referrals of should work’. Wales Bill will indeed “simplify and and Northern Ireland, but this is due devolved legislation to the UK Su- One thing is clear, as Professor clarify” the devolution settlement, “As early as to change with a new Wales Bill at preme Court, creating effi ciency and Trench said on Th e Constitution and reduce the need for the courts Westminster. It is a Conferred Pow- improving accountability. However, Unit’s blog, that a reserved power and particularly the UK Supreme 1996 the ers model and the Welsh Assembly the new report highlights that the UK model would ‘raise a set of major Court in Welsh legislation, and will reserved is only able to legislate where powers Government proposed devolved pow- questions about the division of powers indeed make the National Assembly are directly given, while Scotland all ers did not include criminal justice, between the UK and devolved Welsh act as a more eff ective legislature and powers areas are assumed responsibility, un- even though it was recommended by tiers of Government’. He has also sug- that the settlement would indeed be model was less reserved by Westminster. As early the Silk Commission, and is called for gested that is not something that can more workable, stable and durable. as 1996 the reserved powers model by many Assembly Members. be ‘pulled off the shelf to solve some Th ey will also need to decide if they considered to was considered to be more robust However David Jones MP, back in ‘technical’ legal problem. will devolve civil and criminal law. Th e and durable and the UK’s Changing 2013, suggested that reserved powers Westminster now needs to make report highlights that to devolve civil be more robust Union project has suggested that this devolution would be ‘inappropriate’ sure that the devolution settlement law will create an ‘unworkable’ model and durable model is ‘the next stage of Welsh de- for Wales. He also warned against the they agree on is a workable devo- and therefore, a Welsh jurisdiction is volution’. Scotland’s referendum last separation of the Welsh legal system, lution settlement for the people of far better prospect. According to the “Westminster year sparked the debate on the future saying that Wales ‘hugely’ benefi ted Wales. Rather than an “unclear, highly report, the UK Government fi rst at- of devolution within the union, and from a unifi ed jurisdiction. While the complex and unstable” devolution set- tempt at drafting the Wales Bill does ” now needs to there is a new debate about the con- report says that an establishment of a tlement that Professor Richard Wyn not currently address the concerns of cept of devolution within the UK as a Welsh legal jurisdiction isn’t the only Jones of the Wales Governance Cen- the report including if a Welsh Juris- make sure that whole. A new report published by the way for a reserved powers model to tre believed Wales was left with last diction should be set up, what mat- Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff work but it suggested that the other time. ters should be devolved, and if civil or the devolution University stated that the government methods were complicated and that However, before Westminster can criminal law should be devolved? settlement treats devolution in Wales, Scotland establishing a Welsh legal jurisdiction make laws that aff ect the assembly a It is clear the report has highlighted and Northern Ireland as ‘exceptions is the best way to follow through with consent motion must be passed, this is that the UK Government needs to se- they agree on to an English-driven norm’. the reserved powers model. a constitutional convention. Th ough, verely think of its plans and if they’re is a workable According to the report, the re- Th e powers that the fi rst draft of the it seems that Presiding Offi ce Dame indeed going far enough. Th e report served powers model has had wide- bill suggests it’s to been a ‘ad hoc po- Rosemary Butler is “encouraged to see highlights that a real issue, that the devolution spread support for a considerable litical bargain’ that it will not ‘produce that the report chimes closely” with UK Government is ignoring devolved time. Th e Silk Commission, looking a robust, stable and lasting settlement’ her own “vision for what a move to powers on criminal justice which settlement into powers to devolve to Wales, en- as Carwyn Jones has stated. Th is is reserved powers should achieve – a Scotland currently has, and would be dorsed such a model for its overall due to the bill suggesting that West- clearer, more workable devolution needed for a reserved powers model ” principles, to ensure greater certainty minster’s decision about which pow- settlement for the people of Wales.” to be formed. ‘Mad Cow Disease’ Pictured: It is hoped that the disease identifi ed in Wales won’t spread to other cattle ast Th ursday the Welsh Govern- ers and the general public, with Llyr (Photographer: Carwyn ment released a statement con- Gruff ydd saying “Th is is an isolated Rob Best) Williams Lfi rming that ‘mad cow disease’ case and there is absolutely no risk to had been identifi ed in a dead cow at a human health. We can be reassured by Welsh farm, prompting an investiga- the fact that this case was identifi ed as it tion. demonstrates that the systems in place In the statement it was however are working eff ectively.” Other parties confi rmed that there was no risk to had similar words to say, with the Lib- public health and it did not enter the eral Democrats showing some worry. food chain. Farms that are suspected William Gruff ydd AM said, “Th is is of “there was no of having animals with the disease are course very disappointing news. normaly put under strict movement ““Th e drop in prices has already risk to public restrictions, but it is not known where badly hit farmers fi nancially and it is health this farm is. important they know they have our full Politicians were fast to calm farm- support.” ” A week in the Senedd with Carwyn Williams

Plaid Cymru mentioned health The headline of the session however once again, a recurring theme in is when First Minister Carwyn Jones FMQs, with Elin Jones suggesting announced he deplored excessive there should be a quote of medicine salaries in the public sector, like the students from rural Wales to help salaries of council leaders, and yet solve future recruitment problems. offered no solutions, insisting that Carwyn Jones however dismissed it is up to an individual council to this, adding that standards would make such decisions. “Elin Jones fall in the profession and what doc- tors want is a flexible way of work- New law to protect children suggesting ing across Wales without being tied in Vehicles down. Jones also emphasised that From last Thursday, it has become there should even if you train more doctors, there illegal to smoke in a vehicle with is no guarantee they would go on to someone under 18 years old. Even be a quote work as GPs in West Wales, and a if a window is down or sunroof is of medicine First Minister’s Questions The First Minister however seemed better strategy is therefore needed. open a driver or passanger is still li- Transparency was the main issue in surprised, and initially explained Andrew RT Davies, leader of the able, with the only exception being students from last week’s FMQs, with the presid- that no such documents ever existed, Welsh Conservatives attacked the given to convertibles when the roof rural Wales ing officer accepting an emergency but later went on to say his govern- minister and his government for is down. Any driver or passenger question on the topic, after it was re- ment was still more transparent than lacking in new and fresh ideas, in- caught breaking the law could be vealad some cabinet decision docu- the Westminster government, and sisting the agenda for the day was fined £50. The law however does ” ments would no longer be published. the Scottish Government. too short. not apply to e-cigarettes 22 POLITICS Prime Minister pledges £5.8bn to tackle international climate change t the UN General Assembly, nett, has come out against it, saying Sophie held on the 27th September, other foreign aid benefi ciaries will Pictured: Young ADavid Cameron announced suff er as a result of the reallocation. Th e Prime that Britain would be spending £5.8bn However, as funds are not limit- Minister at the on combatting climate change in poor less, perhaps the stronger argument UN Climate countries over the next fi ve years. is the apparent controversy between Summit 2014. Th e fi gure equates to an increase domestic and foreign policy. Bennett (Photographer: “An increase of about 50% compared to the previ- decries Cameron’s pledge saying it Arron Hoare) ous fi gure of £3.87bn for the period “smacks of hypocrisy”, referring to the of about 50% of 2011-2016. Th e reason for this endorsement of fracking and as well compared to increase is the particularly severe as cuts in subsidies to wind farms, so- impact of climate change on the de- lar plants, and biomass. Th is is indeed the previous veloping world, as these countries are a more paradoxical position. much less able to manage the results One explanation may be the split in figure of of global warming as they arise. the Tory Party over the correct pri- £3.87bn for As well as the ability to overcome oritisation of climate change. David more eff ectively issues such as fl ood- Cameron is in favour of spending on the period of ing and drought, the money also al- climate change, while Chancellor of 2011-2016 lows for communities to have access the Exchequer George Osborne has to clean, reliable energy. With regard not shown it the same level of con- to this, Cameron states “that energy cern. not only keeps the lights on, it also Furthermore, there is a minority ” improves health and education, spurs of voters that don’t believe in global economic growth and creates jobs”. warming. While a right of centre “ Th is will be funded through the party is in power, and Britain votes The response foreign aid budget. At present, the for the Conservatives because of their for are far less extensive than the the amount spent on climate fi nance budget stands at a noteworthy 0.7% approach to the economy, climate broad array of concerns a government has been positive; UNICEF “strongly to Cameron’s of gross national income. Accord- change is unlikely to top every list in has to manage within its own nation. welcome this announcement from decision to ing to the Department of Energy and terms of importance. In a time where Something that can, and should, be the UK government”, and Christian Climate Change, we are currently the climate change should be a priority, prioritised in foreign aid, cannot be Aid chief executive Minghella states increase the only G7 nation to meet the interna- this is a concern. transferred as simply to the national “Th e UK’s pledge of greater climate amount spent tionally agreed target and the only However comparisons cannot be level. But scrutiny is the most eff ec- fi nance will play a transformational one to include it in legislation. drawn quite as simply as they seem to tive cause of improvement. Criticism role in giving people the climate sta- on climate But several critiques of this prom- appear. Th e UK does not control the should be taken seriously and used to bility they need to lift themselves out ise exist, and one is precisely to do spending of each individual foreign measure how well the UK is manag- of poverty”. With important talks has been been with the allocation from the foreign country, only an aspect of interna- ing climate change at home. coming up in Paris, the UK has set a positive aid budget. Leader of the Green Party tional intervention. As a result, the Ultimately, however, the response strong example for other nations to for England and Wales, Natalie Ben- things a government has to account to Cameron’s decision to increase follow. ” Potential independence for Catalonia

hat do Scotland and Cata- securing 47.8% of votes cast overall. Catalan’s new regional government promised to continually challenge Jack Williams lonia have in common? The main separatist alliance To- but refused to be drawn on the inde- any unilateral moves towards inde- WNot a lot on the face of gether For Yes won 62 seats out of pendence debate. pendence by going to the courts. it. But actually, they share one thing the 135 total but managed to get the The vote was not actually an of- in common: a debate over inde- majority they needed thanks to the ficial independence vote because it President Mas himself has been pendence. The calls for Catalan in- support of a small but radical pro- was still only regional elections. In- summoned to court over claims he dependence have been heard as far independence party, the CUP, who stead, President Artur Mas turned abused his power and embezzled back as the 1600’s but it has continu- held 10 seats. it into an alternative independence public funds and also for his role in ally remained a part of Spain. Speaking after the ballots had vote and used the votes for pro- attempting to stage an independ- The Scottish Referendum was been counted; the Regional Presi- independence parties as a sign that ence referendum in 2014. Many pro- carried out earlier this year but the dent of Catalonia Artur Mas told re- the people of Catalonia did want to independence supporters see this as result was to remain part of the porters, “We have won… we have a break away from Spain. a move by the Spanish government United Kingdom, something similar clear majority in the Catalan Parlia- It was played this way because a to counter the success of the Catalan in Spain and the Catalan region has ment to go ahead.” Further plans are legal referendum on Catalonian in- secessionists. Indeed, the Catalan long been called for. not yet clear, but the Spanish Prime dependence could not be held. The government described the Spanish Reasons for wanting independ- Minister said he would ‘listen’ to Spanish central government has governments claims as “politically ence from Spain include historical motivated”. “Reasons and cultural differences, and also for The Spanish government in its financial reasons. Catalonia is very different iterations over the years Pictured: for wanting heavily taxed by Spain because it has has always said that the country as a ‘Children of the independence the highest GDP compared to all the whole would not be ready for Cata- Independence other regions, with tourism being lan secession. This has been the view Movement’ from Spain the regions biggest source of income of many in Europe too especially in Catalonia include with the city of Barcelona its biggest with the troubled economic climate (Photographer: draw. as it is. Eric Burniche) historical The Catalonia region in the north- The long road to independence east of Spain itself has a population will not end as a result of these elec- and cultural of 7,354,411 according to data from tions, instead adding another turn differences, 2008. Artist Salvador Dali and foot- along the way. The claims regarding ballers Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Artur Mas are concerning but may and also for Pique are examples of famous Cata- never be truly resolved due to the financial lans. political wrangling’s of both sides. If In the third regional election in Spanish attitudes towards Catalonia reasons five years earlier this week, Catalan do not change and disputes are not pro-independence parties won a resolved, a declaration of independ- ” parliamentary majority despite only ence could be imminent. )'1" 15'2)%(1'(&! (#'&"4$1#1#"'012!"&1 $&02)& "()'3$!")

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Editor: Maria Mellor @GairRhyddSci [email protected] science gairrhydd.com/science Super Gonorrhoea: neither the hero we needed nor wanted

national public health alert usually combated with a course of Lizzie Harrett has been prompted by an out- antibiotics but this virulent strain is A break of antibiotic-resistant resistant to azithromycin, an antibi- gonorrhoea in North England. otic used to help treat the infection. 15 cases of the antibiotic resistant Antibiotic-resistance in gonor- ‘super-gonorrhoea’ have been con- rhoea is not a new phenomenon - in firmed in the past six months with 2013 the European Centre for Dis- Public Health England expressing ease and Control produced a report concern at this alarming develop- regarding this issue. They tested the ment. Although 15 patients may susceptibility of nearly 2000 gonor- sound like a small number, some of rhoea isolates to antibiotics com- those affected have reported hav- monly used in the treatment of the ing sexual partners from across disease, discovering that almost 5 England. Those infected with the percent were resistant to one of the disease may also unwittingly pass it main antibiotics used. Furthermore, onto subsequent partners - half of all the rapid development of antibiotic- women and one in ten men who are resistance in gonorrhoea has re- “15 cases of infected with gonorrhoea show no sulted in GPs changing the recom- the antibiotic symptoms. This may help the anti- mended antibiotics for this infection biotic-resistant ‘super-gonorrhoea’ multiple times in the last decade. resistant to establish itself as the predominant Presently, both azithromycin and strain across the country if its spread ceftriaxone are used in combination ‘super- is not promptly prevented. to treat gonorrhoea. However, if the gonorrhoea’ Charmingly nicknamed ‘the clap’, ‘super-gonorrhoea’ strain also devel- gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted ops a resistance to ceftriaxone then have been bacterial infection. Initial symptoms there will be few alternatives for makes it imperative that we can ef- ‘super-gonorrhoea’ strain to learn confirmed in include unusual genital discharge treating the infection. fectively combat gonorrhoea, and more about it’s molecular makeup Pictured: and a burning sensation when uri- Over 35,000 people in the United are therefore able to rapidly develop and how it manages to avoid suscep- Neisseria the past six nating, and if left untreated it can Kingdom contract gonorrhoea every new antibiotics to avoid its impact tibility to azithromycin. gonorrhoeae cause long-term health problems, year, making it one of the most com- on the population’s health. If you’re concerned about your bacteria months including infertility and pelvic in- mon sexually transmitted infection. Indeed, Public Health England are sexual health, visit your GP and get (Source: ” flammatory disease. Gonorrhoea is The high prevalence of this disease currently genetically sequencing the tested. NIAID) Paraplegic man walks again thanks to new technology

study at the University of a walking frame and a harness to re- oped. Dr Nenadic said, “We are in tions relating to inactivity or wheel- Aislinn California has allowed a par- lieve some of his weight. the process of designing an implant- chair use, such as osteoporosis, res- McDonagh A aplegic man to walk again by The system works by the ‘EEG’ cap able version of the system that can piratory illness or pressure ulcers. In utilising his brain signals to control transmitting the signals to a com- yield brain signals of higher qual- addition, surveys have indicated that the muscles in his legs. While simi- puter, which codes these as ‘walk’ or ity and thus facilitate more accurate patients with spinal column injuries lar experiments and technology us- ‘idle’. This command is then sent to control. The implant could also be consider restoration of walking to be ing brain signals have been used for a control box positioned on the pa- used to deliver sensory feedback to a priority in their quality of life, and movement after paralysis or ampu- tient’s belt, and then activates elec- the brain, so that the subjects could 60 percent would be willing to have “This is believed tation before, this is believed to be trodes that stimulate the anterior feel their legs as they are walking”. such an implant fitted. the first time ambulation has been muscles of the patient’s leg. Though this may seem like an ex- Though this is only the first step in to be the achieved in a person with a spinal Though the patient controls his treme (and expensive) solution, the such technology, it is proof that what first time cord injury without the use of pros- legs with thought, one of the re- bulk of medial costs for paraplegic seems impossible may be achieved thetics or an exoskeleton. searchers told Radio 4 that “It’s not patients actually come from condi- within our lifetimes. ambulation The patient was initially trained so much that he’s thinking ‘move the to control walking and idling (stay- right leg and then move the left leg’… has been ing still) in a virtual reality envi- really he has the control of a general Pictured: achieved in a ronment via a cap which monitors concept of walk or not walk.” Th e patient as changes in electronic signals from Though a fantastic achievement, he takes some person with the brain. This served two purposes, this is really a ‘proof of concept’ of his fi rst steps spinal cord both training the patient in how to study to show that further research operate the system but also in re- is necessary and worthwhile to fur- injury without stimulating the areas of motor con- ther develop brain-computer inter- trol related to walking, believed to face technology for walking. The the use of be supressed after spinal cord injury current, non invasive, technology is prosthetics or and paralysis. Once he became profi- highly cumbersome, however if it cient at this, he then performed sus- can be proved to work for a wider an exoskeleton pended walking tasks, before finally population of people with spinal walking along a 3.66 metre course cord injury, a permanent, invasive ” on his 20th session, with the aid of form of this therapy may be devel- SCIENCE 25 Health research studies funded by Coca-Cola

t is still a few months until the re- So who do we have to thank for Alec Evans nowned Christmas adverts start these revelations? The funding was Pictured: Iand Coca-Cola is already making not disclosed until inquisition by Th e brand headlines, but for the wrong reasons. Canadian obesity expert and blogger in question The US fizzy drink or ‘soda’ giant has Dr Yoni Freedhoff, who contacted (Photographer: now been criticised for its support The New York Times feeling that the Ben K Adams) of obesity research, funding health Coca-Cola brand needed a greater studies that attempt to downplay the sense of transparency, “I do think negative effects of soft drinks. that these partnerships are not going The world’s largest beverage com- to be looked upon kindly by history”. pany has attracted its fair share of Freedhoff had been highly critical controversy throughout its almost of the brand in the past following a 130 years as a brand. In the past fac- 2012 advertising campaign with the ing PETA condemnation for animal slogan “helping families keep fit”. testing and further accusations of Coca-Cola Canada president Nicola “We have pesticide contamination. Kettlitz defended the adverts, say- It has now come to light that Coca- ing they portrayed the message “We provided $21.8 Cola has provided financial and lo- have products that are great in a bal- million to gistical support to the Global Energy anced lifestyles, but remember you Balance Network or GEBN, a com- have to balance them with activity”. fund scientific pany that argues weight-conscious But Freedhoff interpreted the cam- research and Americans are paying too much at- paign as “We’re part of the solution, tention to what they eat and drink we’re not part of the problem,” add- $96.8 million over attention to exercise. In a web- ing “This is their way to try to avoid to support site statement released September further legislation that would affect 22, Coca-Cola North America Presi- their sales”. “The funding health and dent Sandy Douglas admits “Over Funding bias is hardly a new phe- the last five years, we have provided nomenon. A study by Turner and was not well-being $21.8 million to fund scientific re- Spilich revealed that study results disclosed until partnerships search and $96.8 million to support identifying performance improve- try were indeed substantially less calorie soda a year, but by 2014 this health and well-being partnerships ment by smoking were more likely likely to report statistically signifi- had fallen to just 30 gallons. Closer inquisition Coca-Cola for a total of $118.6 million”. A closer to be published by scientists ac- cant effects on a range of end points to home, last year saw UK sales by Canadian North America look at the website shows a break- knowledging support from the to- that may be relevant to health”. dropping by 10 per cent following a down of the health study support, bacco industry. These findings were Coca-Cola is facing difficult times reduction in bottle size. It remains obesity expert President the highest-funded study being over echoed by an Environmental Health in the soft drink industry. American to be seen whether this issue is just $6 million to ‘Sponsored Research Perspectives study on mobile phone trade publication Beverage Digest another controversy that Coca-Cola and blogger Dr Sandy Douglas Agreement for ISCOLE: An Inter- companies funding mobile phone identified a significant drop in US will be able to wash away, or if a Yoni Freedhoff national study of Childhood Obesity, usage studies; “We found that the sales. In 1998, Americans purchased number of people are going to start ” Lifestyle and the Environment’. studies funded exclusively by indus- on average about 40 gallons of full- flocking to Pepsi. ” Undergraduate breaks record for the most research papers published Cardiff student has written 23 published research papers before the age of 20 and has been honoured by the India Book of Records

adarsh Mishra, 19, has tional conference while in his second research fellowship from the Univer- Maria Mellor worked with multiple uni- year. It was for the conference that sity of Oxford. He worked with them Aversities and institutions to he wrote his fi rst paper. Later on on a project involving thermoelec- break the national record in India while interning at the Indian Insti- tricity. Mishra says “you could wear for the undergraduate with the most tute of Science, he wrote a number clothes made from thermoelectric research papers published. He wrote of research papers on tribology - the material, and the heat from your his fi rst paper at 17 and has since study and application of the princi- body could be used to charge your traveled from India to Cardiff to con- ples of friction, lubrication and wear. phone”. tinue his studies in the fi eld of me- “I started my research on a topic He chose to transfer his course chanical engineering. Th e main focus called ‘the fi lms of tin sulphide for from Manipal Institute of Technol- of his research is on material science use in thin fi lms solar cell devices’,” ogy to Cardiff University to focus in relation to aerospace, electronics explained Mishra. Solar panels are on the practical side of research. and condensed matter physics. made up of individual solar cells He published a book while in Car- Th e victory of breaking a national and absorb sunlight to convert into diff titled ‘Introduction to Wear’: a record won Mishra an award from electricity. Mishra found that when textbook-style compilation of his re- the India Book of Records. Reacting tin sulphide is deposited in the solar search which he aims to use to bridge “I feel like the to the news, he later said “I feel like cells using thermal evaporation, it the gap between academic and in- the king of the world”. He told Gair increased their effi ciency and there- dustrial research in the fi eld. king of the Rhydd that even after this achieve- fore gives an increased power out- Mishra added “the best thing world ment he still plans to keep working put. Th is paper was published in the about Cardiff University is that I get and publishing more research papers Journal of Metallurgy and Materials to link my academic research with Aadarsh and books. Science, which is the offi cial organ of the industry”. He is currently doing Mishra He began his academic career at the National Metallurgical Labora- a year in industry as part of his de- the Manipal Institute of Technol- tory under the Government of India. gree, working in the IP Group as a ” ogy, and participated in an interna- Mishra has recently completed a research and development engineer. 26 SCIENCE Astronomical price-hike of essential drug Daraprim Should there be regulations to stop pharmaceutical profi teering?

here is no denying that the Daraprim is a medication regarded federal investigation in response to the is that of a new hepatitis C drug sold Shanna research and production of as one of the most important drugs Daraprim price hike and lack of avail- by Gilead Science and AbbVie, which Pictured: Hamilton Tdrugs cost billions of pounds, in a basic health system, and features ability to such an important drug. can cure 90 per cent of those infected. Martin Shkreli, as well as up to twenty years of efforts on the World Health Organization’s Politicians haven’t shied from criti- Th is condition aff ects over three mil- at the centre of from the research lab to safe use in “List of Essential Medicines”. It is used cizing the stunning move of Turing lion Americans, yet a drug with such the daraprim a patient. It is therefore no surprise as an antimalarial drug, and is vital in Pharmaceuticals either. Hilary Clin- potential is being priced at $94,500. argument that drugs are often painfully expen- treating parasitic disease, especially in ton, Democratic candidate in the race Pressure from the media seems to sive, especially for rare conditions. those with a weakened immune sys- for Barack Obama’s seat in the White have paid off however in the case of But in the wake of a vital medication tem, such as suff erers of HIV. House, said on Twitter, “Price gouging Daraprim. Shkreli announced that he skyrocketing from a mere $13.50 to How is it that such a vital medicine like this in a specialty drug market is will lower the cost of the medication, an eye-watering $750 a pill, are more can legally be price-hiked to such an outrageous.” In a rare agreement of but by how much, he is yet to an- regulations needed to protect those astronomical value? Th e drug has both political parties in the U.S, Re- nounce. When asked whether this was vulnerable and in need? been available since 1953, developed publican front-runner Donald Trump in response to the harsh criticism of Big pharma is big business, with by Nobel Prize-winner Gertrude simply put it: “He looks like a spoilt his move, Shkreli said, “Yes it is abso- the industry worth a whopping £200 Elion, and is not subject to any pat- brat to me. Th at guy is nothing. He’s lutely a reaction – there were mistakes billion a year and only set to rise. ent obligations. However, according zero. He’s nothing. He ought to be made with respect to helping people Many are keen to profit from such a to Suzanne McGee writing for Th e ashamed of himself.” understand why we took this action, I necessity to modern medicine, and Guardian: “Part of the problem is It’s absolutely no surprise that think that it makes sense to lower the ten of the largest drug companies that there are individuals like Shkreli Shkreli has got under the skin of so price in response to the anger that was dominate over a third of the market. scouring the market for drugs like many people around the world, when felt by people.” Recently joining the ranks of those Daraprim that don’t have eff ective ge- his online presence is somewhat pro- Hilary Clinton outlined her plans benefiting from the booming drug neric rivals.” It appears that because voking. When the news broke of the to prevent Shkreli and hungry drug business is entrepreneur Martin the market is quite small, no generic price-hike and criticisms fl ooded in, companies from making such a Shkreli, who has severe backlash for manufacturer ever emerged. When the businessman replied on his Twit- move again. At a campaign stop in his actions from not just the science the marketing rights were obtained, ter, “It seems like the media immedi- Iowa two weeks ago, Clinton said she community, but global media out- “the profi t-minded individual or ately points a fi nger at me so I point wants to put a monthly cap on pa- lets, presidential candidate Hillary company snaps up the patents, sud- one back at em, but not the index or tient drug costs that would prevent Clinton, and even the notorious denly hikes the drug’s price and puts pinkie.” Th is insulting comment has insurance companies and pharma- Donald Trump. consumers – from insurance compa- been quoted numerous times, along- ceutical companies from “excessive American hedge fund manager spe- nies to individuals – in a position of side a laughable image of Shrekli pos- profiteering”. She added, “It is time cialising in healthcare business, Shkre- either paying what is demanded or ing in shades in front of a TV screen. to deal with skyrocketing out-of- li was the founder of Turing Pharma- going without,” McGee added. Th is 32-year-old has acquired the pocket costs”. ceuticals AG. As executive chairman Th e fact that in the UK, the very rights to a vital drug and yet acts with After her announcement, shares “How is it that of the company, after obtaining the same drug is available from pharma such audacity in the face of criticism in pharmaceutical companies nose- such a vital rights to a drug known as Daraprim, giant GlaxoSmithKleine at only $0.66 after price-gouging. Should this even dived, even in Europe where shares “Price gouging he controversially raised the price by dollars a tablet only adds fuel to the be possible? in GSK and AstraZeneca fell by medicine can 5000%, costing an American patient fi re. Th e Infectious Disease Society of Shkreli unfortunately isn’t the only more than three per cent. However, legally be like this in a $75,000 for a monthly course instead America and the HIV Medicine As- individual profi teering from the small if such measures can protect “essen- specialty drug of the more aff ordable $1,300. It is now sociation have heavily criticized the demand of rarer drugs. Rodelis Th era- tial medicines” and the patients who price-hiked only available from a single source in move, stating “this cost is unjustifi able peutics, with the rights to a tubercu- need them, then let’s hope Clinton’s market is the U.S and is only available from a for the medically vulnerable patient losis drug called cycloserine, bumped measures will come into force, and to such an outrageous single speciality pharmacy, Walgreens. population in need of this medica- the cost of 30 tablets from an aff ord- she hasn’t just jumped on the issue to astronomical Even hospitals and other institutions tion.” Some organizations are taking able $500 to an unbelievable $10,800. boost her election campaign. Drugs Hillary Clinton can’t order from general wholesalers – their outrage further: the National After a public outcry, rights were re- aren’t cheap, but by no means should value? instead they have to make an account Alliance of State and Territorial Aids turned to the original owners and the a 55 fold price increase overnight ” with Daraprim Direct. Directors (NASTAD) are calling for a price dropped. Another case in point ever be acceptable. ” SCIENCE 27 NASA announces that water has been found on Mars

ater is a prerequisite for However, we are unsure where the Lizzie Harrett life on Earth. Whether you source of this water is. One theory Pictured: Wconsider succulent desert suggests that the salt deposits could Th e red planet cacti, underwater shoals of fi sh or pull water out of the atmosphere. (Source: Hubble human beings, we all depend on it Mars Curiosity Rover has some evi- Heritage) for our survival. Th is is what makes dence to support this, where they NASA’s Monday announcement that discovered that the planet had the they have found evidence of water on correct conditions for the salt de- Mars so exciting. posits and atmospheric water to con- NASA satellite imaging shows dense during winter nights. Howev- dark streaks known as recurring er, we do not know if air fl ow would slope lines (RSLs) on the surface of be suffi cient enough to allow this. four Martian slopes, which scientists Other potential hypotheses include have long thought demonstrates the water seeping out from underground evidence of water on the planet. Th is ice found deep under the surface of is not a simple assumption to make the planet and water emerging from though, due to the below freezing ancient aquifers, which are under- “John temperatures and the very low at- ground layers of water-bearing rock. mospheric pressure that could cause Th e confi rmation of water on Mars Grunsfeld, liquid to boil. However, by determin- poses some very exciting questions. NASA’s Science ing the chemistry of these RSLs, the John Grunsfeld, NASA’s Science existence of water can be confi rmed. Mission Chief, has stated that there Mission Chief, Using a tool called Crism, Lucas Ojha is now the possibility that life could and his colleagues reported in Nature exist on Mars. It may not be the lit- has stated that Geoscience that the RSLs are cov- tle green men we have grown ac- But where do we go from here? At further exploration, as bacteria that there is now ered in deposits of salts, specifi cally customed to in popular culture but the moment any further investiga- have hitch hiked a ride from Earth magnesium perchlorate, chloride the presence of water could support tion has been put on hold while sci- could potentially proliferate in any the possibility and chlorate. Th e presence of these micro-organism existence. It could entists grapple with risk of contami- wet areas. A possible solution could that life could salts reduces the freezing point and also aff ect human space exploration nating Mars with Earthly microbes. be to use a joint European and Rus- vaporisation rate of water enough to as any astronauts who visit the planet International agreements are set sian rover called ExoMars that is exist on Mars allow this salty water to trickle down may not have to bring their own wa- in place to prevent this, which will scheduled to launch in 2018, making slopes and crater walls, despite the ter supply, helping them to survive stop the Mars Curiosity rover that sure it is thoroughly sterilised before ” harsh atmospheric conditions. using the planet’s resources. is currently on the planet from any take-off . Become a more convincing liar when you need the toilet Urine luck if you tell a lie when you need to pee

f you need to tell a lie, do it when The lies told by participants in the Eleanor you need to pee. Recent research group who drank a larger amount of Parkyn Ifrom California State Univer- water were not only more complex Pictured: sity has found that we tell lies more and detailed, but were also accom- Limit your trips convincingly when we need to use panied by convincing behavioural to the toilet if the toilet. The research team, led cues that signalled the truth and you want to by psychologist Dr. Iris Blandon- significantly less cues that indicated seem truthful Gitlin, have been investigating the deception than usual when lying. (Photographer: ‘inhibitory spillover effect’: the idea For future reference, when you need Maria Mellor) that focussing on one task assists in to tell a little fib about not being the implementation of a separate the one who stole the last of your task. flatmates milk, avoid blinking too Dr. Blandon-Gitlin explains: “The much, fidgeting and saying ‘um’ or inhibitory spillover effect occurs ‘ah’. when performance in one self-con- Lying is a very complex task, as trol task facilitates performance in to do so our brains have to inhibit another (simultaneously conducted) the truth. However, if we are al- self-control task.” ready suppressing our need to pee, To attain these findings partici- it makes it easier to lie as the inhi- pants were placed in one of two bition control centres in the brain groups, drinking either 700ml or are already functioning. As a result, 50ml of water. They were later in- inhibiting our need to pee also in- terviewed on a topic they were hibits our need to tell the truth. So “Inhibiting our passionate about and told to either the next time you need to convince tell a lie or the truth. Third party someone you aren’t completely hun- need to pee observers were then asked to work gover, drink a glass or two of water also inhibits out if participants had told a lie or to better persuade them; it’ll prob- not. Of those who had drunk more ably help you either way! And yes, our need to tell water, the observers only correctly this does only work with soft drinks, the truth identified a lie 30 per cent of the drinking more alcohol will only time, revealing that having a fuller make you tell the truth, the whole ” bladder makes you better at lying. truth and nothing but the truth. October/Hydref Treatment Presents: February/Chwefror Annie Mac 20/11/15, from £18.50 ADV Treatment Presents: KERRANG! Tour 2016 Julio Bashmore Public Service Broadcasting ft. Sum 41 & more 09/10/15, from £17.50 ADV 26/11/15, £20 ADV 11/02/16, £18.50 ADV

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Editor: Aletheia Nutt @GairRhyddSoc [email protected] societies gairrhydd.com/societies

Pictured: Hannah’s note Hannah at the Societies Fair (Photographer: Cardiff After the madness of the Students) Societies Fairs, what’s next on the societies calendar?

i all, I hope the fi rst week of so many opportunities run by our Hannah the new semester has gone Clubs & Societies out there to try. “Plans for the Sterritt Hwell! Last week in Socie- Th e contrast in events so far run VP Societies ties we spent a lot of time tying up by Societies is huge: ever fancied large events loose ends from Freshers’ Week and taking part in a Sorting Ceremony in Societies watching new members of the Guild with the Harry Potter Society one of Societies going up and up. day, and then a boat party with your this year have Th ere’s been a general theme for course the next? the past few years that more and On a diff erent note, plans for already begun more people are trying before they the large events in Societies this including buy memberships for Clubs & Socie- year have already begun including ties through taster sessions and Give the Winter Showcase and Forums the Winter it a Go events and this year is no dif- among others. More details will in Showcase and ferent. Th is is however a great way no doubt be communicated on these to ensure that new members have pages and on social media. For up- Forums among good value for money and I’d really dates on the current Guild of Soci- recommend just giving something eties goings-on, head to facebook. others completely diff erent a go as there are com/guildofsocieties. ”

some old school hip-hop to the dance-fl oor. to bring their instruments and join in, if you Do not fear that breakdancing is purely for don’t fancy playing it is defi nitely worth going the guys and girls who can throw some crazy to anyway. (£1.00) dance moves, it’s about more than that; style, originality, musicality and most importantly Friday 9th October 2015 having a good laugh! (£1.00) German Society’s Give it a Go session is a trip to the Cardiff version of the cultural event You have probably never thought you’d have Oktoberfest. Th is is a brilliant chance for the chance to go on a boat party in early students to meet others with similar interests, October in Cardiff , but Chemistry Society are in a friendly atmosphere with lots of good throwing a ChemSoc Boat Party as their Give it food and drink. Tickets for this can be found a Go event. It promises to be a fantastic night, at eventbrite.com something defi nitely not to miss. (£15.00) Also on Friday, Cardiff Links are holding Wednesday 7th October 2015 a First Aid Give it a Go session, a brilliant Give it a Go brings you Cardiff University chance to have a fun time while learning skills Students’ Union’s fi rst ever Bubble Football that could potentially help you save a life. You tournament, where 15 teams of fi ve will be never know when you might be caught in a competing against one another. (£12.00) situation where someone needs your help, why risk not knowing what to do when you Th ursday 8th October 2015 could learn what you’d need to do within two Th e History Society is hosting a Holocaust hours? (£2.00) Survivor Talk, an opportunity to hear fi rst hand from a survivor of the Holocaust. It will Saturday 10th October 2015 ive it a Go is a no-strings-attached Monday 5th October 2015 undoubtedly be very interesting and a chance Give it a Go are running a day trip to Margam programme that off ers amazing Th e Sci-Fi and Fantasy Society are holding to discover what we can learn from a survivor’s Castle, an amazing day out visiting one of the Gactivities for you to try while you are their Give it a Go event, a Sci-Fi and Fantasy fi rst-hand testaments. (Free) best country houses South Wales has to off er. at Cardiff . You could try out new sports, meet Quiz, a great opportunity to test how much Whether it’s the scenic setting, the abbey or new people, learn a new language, volunteer you know, meet new people or just to discover Poker Society is also putting on a session on the prospect of visiting a haunted house that or even go on exciting excursions. what Sci-Fi and Fantasy is. (£1.00) Th ursday. Th eir session will enable you to take appeals to you, it’s sure to be a perfect day. One of the great things about Give it a part in a Texas hold ‘em poker tournament (£10.00) Go is that you do not need a membership to Tuesday 6th October 2015 for a discounted entry fee while being in the participate in the sessions. All you need to do Th e Pakistani Society put on an hour long chance to play for a £50 minimum top prize. Give it a Go are running another day trip on is sign up online, pay the fee (there may not Give it a Go event, A Taste of Pakistan, a Learn how to play Texas hold ‘em in a friendly Saturday to Th ree Cliff s Bay, where you could even be one!) and then turn up on the day and chance for students to sample vibrant colours, and casual tournament setting. (£2.00) have a leisurely afternoon stroll along the have a brilliant time. heart warming poetry, tantalising tastes and beautiful welsh coast while socialising with Give it a Go have already put on numerous uplifting muslic notes. (£1.00) Jazz Society are holding one of their Jam old and new friends. Don’t worry about how enjoyable activities this semester, and there are Nights as their Give it a Go session. It is a fi t you need to be, the guide has classifi ed it still many more to try though. Here is a little Breakdance Society are also putting on a Give great opportunity to get together with some as beginner ability meaning as long as you are look at what GIAG events you could take part it a Go Event on Tuesday, they are calling for friends and have a chilled evening of jazz and reasonably fi t and able you are in for a very in this week… all Bboys and Bgirls to help them bring back drinks. Jazz Society encourage those who play pleasant day. (£10.00) 30 SOCIETIES New society profi le: StichSoc As one of the Guild of Societies’ newest members, StichSoc off ers craft lessons to experts and novices alike, focusing on knitting, crochet and cross-stich

lthough long thought of as the ing cross-stitch and crochet. It can Sophie hobbies of grandmothers the sometimes be a bit daunting when Jackson Aworld over, recent years have faced with getting materials for a new seen crafts like knitting and embroi- hobby, so £5 starter packs are avail- dery fi nd a new lease of life in a much able to buy from StitchSoc, either on younger generation. Here in Cardiff , the door at the sessions or online on proof of this exists in StitchSoc, a our society page. “StitchSoc meet brand new needlecraft society for Buying a starter kit not only means every Tuesday this academic year that welcomes in- that you’ll be able to take your work dividuals of all abilities and currently home with you, but will also provide at 6:30pm for focuses on the practices of knitting, you with the means to keep prac- crochet and cross-stitch in particular. ticing and improving. Th e Give It a chance to Th is month we’re running a num- a Go sessions are only £1 each for embroidery and needle felting. keep an eye on our Facebook group, relax, chat and ber of Sunday beginners’ sessions as non-members and free for existing As well as the Give it A Go ses- just search ‘Cardiff University Stitch- Pictured: part of Give It A Go, where students members, so it’s a great opportunity sions, StitchSoc meet every Tues- Soc’, in case of any changes. Our fi rst Above: craft at your will have a chance to learn each main to try your hand at something new day at 6:30pm for a chance to relax, meeting went really well, with a great Embroidery. kind of needlecraft from committee that’s enjoyable and rewarding. Next chat and craft at your own pace with turnout and friendly atmosphere, and Below: Go own pace with members. Th e fi rst session on Sunday semester, we hope to run even more friends. We usually do this in the we look forward to welcoming even Global last friends. 11th October will be teaching knit- sessions, with the exciting possibili- downstairs room of the Woodville more eager crafters to StitchSoc in year (Cardiff ” ting, with the following weeks cover- ties of off ering additional classes in pub, but it’s recommended that you the future. Students) Why you should get involved in a society Th e Guild of Societies off ers plenty of opportunities for you to developp your social and professional life

here are many pros of joining Skills Aletheia Nutt a society; one of the greatest Many societies, including student Tbeing the positive impact it media, offer opportunities for you will have on your social life. You will to develop your skills in a certain meet people who share similar inter- field. Getting involved in a society ests as you, allowing you to widen in a management capacity can also your circle of friendship passed your give you valuable people and money- housemates and friends on your management skills that are transfer- course. rable across occupations and are fan- This will help develop your inter- tastic things to put on your CF. personal skills; some of the key skills employers will undoubtedly look for. Develop your passion “Getting To some things up, joining societies Societies can help you rekindle inter- gives you a new hobby with a new ests in old hobbies or discover some- involved in a set of friends, an opportunity to de- thing new that you never thought society in a velop/nurture skills, all of which will you’d get into. The wealth of socie- shine on a CV. ties in the Guild of Societies cater to management a vast range of interests and can even Social introduce you to stuff that you didn’t capacity can Societies are full of like-minded know existed. also give people with the same interests and passions. Joining a society is there- Make your mark you valuable fore one of the easiest ways to find Developing a society or even grow- friends who you can relate to and ing one from scratch is made possi- and money- share in what you love. ble by the way societies are run. The management Societies tend to run plenty of Societies Ball at the end of the year social events, meaning that an op- reward the most active and engaging skills portunity to meet up with your new societies, and really serve to vindi- friends is never far around the cor- cate the passion and effort of society ” ner. execs. Welcome Students!

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Golygydd: Carwyn Williams @Taf_od [email protected] taf-od gairrhydd.com/tafod “Anff odus” Barn Carwyn Jones ar ganlyniad reff erendwm UMPC am swyddog sabothol llawn amser i’r Gymraeg

ae Prif Weinidog Cymru Er hyn, cytuna Carwyn Jones fod yn y sectorau sy’n ymarfer a delio yn y sector breifat, o bosib yn y cyn- Carwyn Carwyn Jones wedi datgelu refferendwm ar y mater yn od, yn gyda’r Gymraeg.” ulliad nesaf, a fydd yn oblygiadau’r Yn y llun: Williams Mi Gair Rhydd fod y reffer- enwedig wrth feddwl bod y mwyafrif Ym mis Mawrth pasiwyd y set undeb i ddarparu gwasanaeth gwbl Ymgyrchwyr endwm ar gyfer swyddog sabothol yn cael effaith ar hawliau’r lleiafrif i cyntaf o safonau, sydd wedi rhoi set ddwyieithog. Yn y cyfamser mae’r ‘IE’ yn disgwyl llawn amser i’r Gymraeg yn “bisâr”, ddefnyddio’r iaith bob dydd. o safonau Cymraeg ar cynghorau, hysbysebu am swydd yn yr adran y canlyniad wrth iddo ddisgrifio’r canlyniad yn Mi aeth Jones ymlaen i esbonio Llywodraeth Cymru a Perci Cened- farchnata fel ‘Cydlynydd y Gymraeg’, ar ddechrau anffodus i’r ymgyrchwyr Gymraeg. efallai nid oedd pleidleiswyr yn laethol. llwyddiant medd rhai i’r iaith, ond mis Mai eleni. Yn wreiddiol, pleidleisiodd Senedd erbyn y swydd ddim yn deall yn lla- Diddorol oedd clywed yr oedd y ymhell o’r gobeithion o gael lywydd (Ffotograff ydd: yr undeb yn erbyn creu’r swydd, wn y goblygiadau byddai’r swyddog gweinidog yn agor i’r syniad o safonau sabothol. Anna Lewis) ond aeth Swyddog y Gymraeg, Stef- newydd yn cael ar siaradwyr Cym- fan Bryn, ymlaen i ddechrau deiseb raeg, sydd yn amlwg yn lleiafrif yng a wnaeth arwain at y refferendwm. Nghaerdydd. Rhwng 27ain Ebrill a Mai 1af, cyn- Gofynnais i’r gweinidog os oedd haliwyd Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol eisiau mwy o safonau iaith yn y sector “yn enwedig Cymru refferendwm ar y mater o breifat a bydd yn gorfodi cwmnïau i wrth feddwl sefydlu Uwch Lywydd llawn amser roi gwasanaeth dwyieithog. Gosteg i’r Iaith Gymraeg, a fethwyd; 1,138 oedd ei ymateb, “y peth cyntaf mae bod y mwyafrif o blaid a 1,229 yn erbyn. Datgelodd angen i ni wneud yw cyflwyno’r safo- yn cael effaith Gair Rhydd bod yr undeb wedi nau i gwmnïau sy’n ymarfer a ddelio defnyddio tactegau codi bwganod gyda’r Gymraeg dan ddeddf yr Iaith ar hawliau’r er mwyn gwthio’r bleidlais yn erbyn, Gymraeg, ac yna mynd ymlaen o gan fygwth torri cyllideb cymde- hynny. lleiafrif i ithasau a’r AU. Dywedodd yr UL “Bydd Comiwsiynnydd yr Iaith ddefnyddio’r Addysg ar y pryd Rhys Jenkins “Yn Gymraeg yn creu’r ail set o safonau amlwg rydym yn bles gyda’r canlyni- yn fuan, a bydd y trydedd set tu hwnt iaith bob dydd ad. Rydym yn ymroddedig i wella i’r etholiad y flwyddyn nesaf. Mae profiad myfyrwyr sy’n siarad Cym- rhaid i ni gael hwn yn gywir yn y sec- ” raeg.” tor gyhoeddus yn gyntaf, yn enwedig Llywdraeth Cymru yn siarad gyda Apple i geisio sicrhau’r Gymraeg fel ‘iaith digidol’

i wnaeth Carwyn Jones am- gwaith, hyd yn oed i ddefnyddio’r Carwyn linellu fod o blaid neu yn iaith ychydig bach bob dydd. Caiff Yn y llun: Williams Nerbyn galwad Cymdeithas hwn i’w weld ym mholisi’r llywodra- Carwyn Jones yr Iaith i anelu at filiwn o siaradwyr eth i wneud y pethau bychain yn yn siarad Gymraeg yng Nghymru. Castiog Gymraeg. yn Uwch- yw’r sefyllfa yng ngeiriau’r gweini- Ond i bobl ifanc, sicrhau bod gynhadledd dog, wrth i gyfrifiad 2011 dangos yr iaith yn un ddigidol yw’r nod. Fuddsoddi’r DU Mae gyda bod 550,000 o siaradwyr, ond mae Dyweda’r gweinidog “Chi’n iawn (Tarddiad y llun: “ arolygon eraill yn dangos gallai fod i ddweud bod gwneud yr iaith yn UKTI) ni cynllun i dros 750,000. un ddigidol yn hanfodol, ac os nad Wrth gynnwys siaradwyr Cym- ydyw’n cael ei weld fel yr iaith i Face- hybu’r iaith raeg tu allan i Gymru felly, mae dros book neu Twitter, mi fydd yn cael ei fel un digidol, filiwn o siaradwyr ac felly nid oes weld fel iaith hynafaidd. angen anelu at ffigwr. Yn hytrach “Mae gyda ni cynllun i hybu’r ac mae’r Urdd mae rhaid canolbwyntio ar dyfu hy- iaith fel un digidol, ac mae’r Urdd der rheini sydd yn siarad ychydig o yn gwneud gwaith da i bortreadu’r yn gwneud Gymraeg o ddydd i ddydd, ond ddim Gymraeg fel un i’w ddefnyddio ar y gwaith da i yn ddigon hyderus i gyhoeddi ei bod cyfryngau cymdeithasol.” bortreadu’r yn siarad yr iaith yn y cyfrifiad. Wrth gwrs, rhwystr mawr i bobl Mae dal llawer o waith i’w wneud ifanc ar y funud yw’r diffyg allwed- “Mae dal llawer Gymraeg fel un eto i gynyddu’r nifer o siaradwyr dell Gymraeg ar ddyfeisiau electro- Cymraeg, a ni ellir osgoi hynny. nig, ond mae’r llywodraeth yn “si- o waith i’w i’w ddefnyddio Problem hefyd, medd y gweinidog, arad gyda Apple a chwmnïau eraill i wneud eto i yw bod pobl ifanc yn derbyn addysg bwysleisio pwysigrwydd yr iaith.” ar y cyfryngau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, ond yn Anodd felly yw’r sialens o dyfu’r gynyddu’r nifer cymdeithasol “cwympo” o’r ffigyrau a’r iaith ar ôl nifer o siaradwyr Gymraeg gyda o siaradwyr gadael, ac felly mae rhaid sicrhau chymaint o rwystrau i’r llywodraeth. Carwyn Jones bod cyfleoedd i’r bobl ifanc yma Ond un peth sy’n siŵr, mi fyddwn Cymraeg defnyddio’r iaith bob dydd. Esbonia yn siarad am y Gymraeg fel mater ” ei fod yn ceisio hybu’r iaith yn y man gwleidyddol am amser maeth i ddod. ” % &' (!         ! "#  $

You can talk about mental health. #  

Find out more at cardiffstudents.com/MindYourHead 34 PARK LIFE

Editors: Vacant @HeathParkCSU [email protected] park life gairrhydd.com/park-life Katey’s note Th is week it’s ‘Mind Your Head Week’, get involved!

ello! I hope everyone has tions to the students who managed Sabbs on the Sofa campaign on Katey settled into the new aca- to win themselves a prize. If you Monday. This will be held in the IV Beggan Hdemic year. We have had a have any feedback about how the fair lounge and will involve elected offic- VP Heath very busy two weeks with Freshers’ was ran please get in touch with me ers helping you with any questions Park events, Give it a Go sessions and on [email protected]. or quires that you may have. This Induction lectures happening all at This week is ‘Mind Your Head will be themed around our ‘Mind once. I hope some of you managed Week’ and this is the first of our Your Head Week’ campaign. This week is to get to some of the Give it A Go campaigns that we will be running Finally, as I mentioned last time “ events, if not have a look at the Stu- this year. ‘Mind Your Head Week’ is I am looking to set up a Heath Park ‘Mind Your dents’ Union website as there are where the Students’ Union provide executive to inform me on current sessions going on all week and there many activities throughout the week Heath issues and help me run events. Head Week’ are still tickets available for our Ber- to raise awareness and decrease Students from all courses and years and this is the lin trip in two weeks’ time! the stigma associated with mental can apply for any of the roles. This Heath Freshers’ fair was a success. health. Mental health is a very com- will be a great way of getting to know first of our We had more students than ever mon issue in our society and we how the University works and influ- come through our doors and we had hope to raise the profile of this is- ence what developments happen campaigns lovely performances from SLASH sue by getting people to talk about it at the Heath. If you are interested that we will be hip hop dance society and Jazz so- through campaigns such as this. As please go onto the Heath Park sec- ciety. part of ‘Mind Your Head Week’ there tion of the website or email me on running this I would like to take this opportu- will be a meditation session happen- the address above. year nity to say thank you to all the clubs, ing in the IV lounge from 7:30-9:30. Enjoy your week and feel free to societies and services who made this We look forward to seeing you there. get in contact if you have any issues ” event such a success and congratula- We will also be launching our that you would like my help with.

Croeso i Bawb! Hello from the Welsh Society for Healthcare Students!

afodd Clwb y Mynydd Bychan, cio nos Sadwrn yn Nhalwrn y Beirdd e are proud that last year, a ‘Talwrn y Beirdd’ competition, with Gwenllian y gymdeithas ar gyfer myfyr- gyda Twm Morys yn feuryn! Dyma Clwb y Mynydd Bychan, the Welsh Poet Twm Morys leading the Pictured: Rhys Cwyr Gofal Iechyd Cymraeg, ei gyfl e gwych i gwrdd a doctoriaid a WWelsh Society for Health- night. Twm Morys hadfywio llynedd ac rydym ni yn ysu myfyrwyr iechyd Cymraeg eu hiaith. care Students was successfully re- Other plans for the year include in- iddi gael tyfu’n fwy byth! Wedi ein Cynlluniau eraill ar gyfer y fl - established and this year we are set to terdisciplinary teaching sessions and lleoli ar gampws yr Heath, rydym yn wyddyn yw nosweithiau sgiliau clin- grow even further! As a society, we aim mock ISCE’s allowing members to griw o fyfyrwyr Cymraeg sy’n cwrdd igol trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, yn to bring all Welsh-speaking Healthcare practice their clinical and examination “We aim i gymdeithasu a chefnogi’n gilydd ogystal a siaradwryr gwadd o waha- students together, to socialise and sup- skills in Welsh, as well as talks by guest tra’n y brifysgol a thu hwnt. Braf oedd nol ddysgyblaethau. Fe fydd digon o port each other throughout university. doctors and healthcare professionals to bring gweld cymaint o wynebau newydd yn nosweithiau cymdeithasol hefyd, yn We were excited to see many new faces from across Wales. Th ere will also be all Welsh- ein Noson Groeso fi s Medi, ond pei- ogystal â thaith cyn gwyliau Nadolig at our fi rst social gathering last month, plenty of chances to relax at our social diwch poeni os nad oeddech chi yno a Phasg! Am fwy o wybodaeth am ein but if you missed it, don’t worry – there nights and Christmas and Easter Soci- speaking – mae ‘na ddigonedd wedi’w baratoi digwyddiadau ymunwch a’r dudalen will be many more opportunities to get ety trips! To keep up to date with all we Healthcare ar gyfer eleni! facebook yma: https://www.face- involved with the club during the year! have planned join our group on face- Ar y 24ain o Hydref beth am book.com/groups/169193487798/ ac How about attending the annual book at: https://www.facebook.com/ students fynychu cynhadledd y Gymdeithas ymaelodwch yma: conference of ‘Y Gymdeithas Fed- groups/169193487798/ or join our so- Feddygol yng Nghaerdydd? Bydd http://www.cardiffstudents.com/ dygol’ on the 24th of October? Th ere ciety here: http://www.cardiff students. together yna ddoctoriaid Cymraeg o ar draws activities/society/clwbymynyddby- will be Welsh doctors presenting vari- com/activities/society/clwbymynydd- Cymru yno’n siarad, a chyfl e i ymla- chan/ ous talks, and the evening also boasts bychan/ ” PARK LIFE 35 Advice for those going on placement Being thrown into a professional medical environment can be scary, so here’s some advice if you’re preparing for a placement

tarting placement is typically a tips for getting the most out of clini- 2) You’re not a doctor yet! Shaffi pretty nerve-wracking experi- cal placements- good luck! As a healthcare professional student, 3) Make the most of it Pictured: Batchelor Sence. For the vast majority of us, you are there to learn and absorb as It might seem like you’ll never under- Th e sort of it’s the fi rst experience we’ll have had 1) Remember why you’re there much information as you can. How- stand all this information, but have environment of interacting with the general public, It can be easy to be swept up with the ever, sometimes it can be diffi cult for no fear because one day you most you might have all whilst under the mantle of “health- nerves and anticipation of the fi rst people to understand the diff erence defi nitely will. Enjoy placement while to get used to in care professional student”. placement, but don’t lose sight of why between a baby doctor and an actual it lasts! From the amazing parts of a professional Not only that, but the endless lit- you’re on placement: to learn how one! It’s perfectly okay- and advisable Wales that you’ll get to explore, to the placement tle details- what to wear? Who am I to be a good clinician. Keeping that in many instances- to say, “I don’t myriad incredible healthcare profes- going with?- can also add up, making as your primary focus can help with know”. Don’t stray outside of your sionals that will shape your learning, things more stressful than they really other things, like talking to patients, own competency and confi dence, and savour it all and do the best that you need to be. which leads me to my second tip… remember that senior clinicians are can. It’ll fl y by before you know it! As a result, here are my three top always there to support you.

Skills Development running sessions of Deaf Awareness Th e Skills Development Service dents.com/jobs-skills/skills-devel- John Steele is running short sessions on Deaf opment-service/signing-up/ and fol- Awareness this term, Wednesday lowing the join and basket checkout 18th November with a choice of procedures. Th e next procedure is three slots - 0900-1100, 1110-1310 to go to http://www.cardiff students. “Bicycles can and 1410-1610. Anyone interested com/whatson/skills/ to book online. should fi rstly join the sds (free) by Th e cost of the session is £5.00. A cer- be vulnerable logging onto http://www.cardiff stu- tifi cate will follow after attendance. to thieves around campus so Advice on bikes from your Heath South Wales Park co-ordinator Police have advised that f you’re cycling to the Heath, make take precautions. D-locks are available Neil sure you lock up your bike se- to buy from the Students’ Union in the cyclists take Alexander Icurely. Bicycles can be vulnerable IV Lounge. We also recommend get- precautions Heath Park to thieves around campus so South ting your bike marked and registered co-ordinator Wales Police have advised that cyclists for free at immobilise.com. ” 36 SPORT Sport Spotlight: Ultimate Frisbee Every week, Gair Rhydd Sport send a clueless volunteer down to one of our 64 AU clubs to fi nd out more about a particular sport. Th is week, Jason Roberts went to train with Cardiff University Ultimate Frisbee.

risbee is easy. I’ve thrown one God and manage eight reasonable Jason before, whilst drunk on beaches throws that go somewhere within the Roberts Fand sober in parks, never before vicinity of my partner. We then start considering myself anything other throwing it sidearm, away from our than exceedingly competent in the bodies. Th is is diffi cult, because it’s art of fl ying-disc throwing. So when much harder to generate power and, the sport editors were divvying up due to the diff erent grip, you have few- our assignments this week, I jumped er fi ngers to hold the frisbee parallel to at the chance to display my unreal- the ground, causing it to bend, dip and ised potential to the good folks at No generally do all the things that frisbees ly, a chance to demonstrate my glaring ly. Specifi cally, by ramming all of my Frills Ultimate Frisbee. So sure was I shouldn’t. After a diffi cult start though, lack of fundamentals in a game situa- 98 kilograms into his tiny bones. Play Pictured: that I would dazzle them with such an it becomes noticeably easier, although tion! Th e rules are actually surprisingly stops abruptly. Apparently this is ille- Cardiff ’s incredible display of frisbee skill, that my laboured, ugly throws were a far simple. Seven players make up each gal. I apologise, and everyone smiles Ultimate they’d have no choice but to ask me cry from the ones coming back to me team, and the aim is to get a player on and says it’s okay, perhaps assuming Frisbee team to join full-time. Maybe they’d even fl at enough to serve food on. your team into the endzone with the my act of wanton aggression for over- take on waive the membership fee. We’re now separated into threes, in frisbee to score a point. Players can- zealousness. Two minutes later, the Swansea at Fast-forward to Tuesday night; a order to practice throwing while being not run with the frisbee, and every same fresher runs past me with ease, Varsity 2015 cool evening with no breeze, perfect marked. Marking works in a similar time the frisbee hits the ground pos- and scores. I am unspeakably tired. (Photographer: for some late-night frisbee. I’m putting fashion to netball, because while the session is handed to the other team, We’ve been playing for fi ve minutes. Taliesin my football boots on, and out of the attacker can only pivot, the defender so the whole passing thing is pretty Th e rest of the game follows a simi- Coombes) corner of my eye I see two guys stand- can get right in the face of the attacker important. Th ere’s a ten second time- lar pattern. Every time I can’t keep up ing about 50 yards apart on the Taly- and attempt to pressure them into an limit (eight if you’re playing indoors) with the player I’m assigned to mark, bont 3G. I’m assuming they’re going errant throw, or even defl ect it if they on how long a player may have posses- the frisbee sails over my head right to put cones out for some kind of drill can. I’m paired with another experi- sion before passing, although this was into a grateful pair of arms. And I can because there’s no way they’re actu- enced Frisbeer (I don’t know if that’s pretty loosely enforced for the good of never seem to shake the defender fol- ally going to throw the frisbee to each the correct term but everyone was too the game. lowing me, always a step too slow to other from such a ridiculous distance. polite to correct me) who, within a few Play begins, and like any sport that a space that disappears before I can Th ey start throwing the frisbee. It’s minutes, forces me to reassess every- seems chaotic from afar, up close reach it. Not that I’d have been able worth pointing out that, at this point, thing I know about the way I perceive there’s a very defi ned strategy. Two to catch the frisbee anyway; it always the guy on the far side of the 3G might reality. In one smooth motion, he players act as ‘handlers’, essentially seems to hang tantalisingly out of as well be standing in Llandaff . Not crouches to the ground and bullets the quarterbacks who read the game and reach before crashing to the ground in that it matters, every single throw is frisbee between the legs of his mark- throw the frisbee to open receivers front of my hands. weighted to perfection. Neither of er, and watches the disc rise about a downfi eld. Not that the receivers are But it’s made enjoyable by everyone them have to move. Eventually the metre straight into my hands, having open by accident, they all congregate in attendance, who are without excep- conventional backhand throw be- started about three inches from the in the middle while the handlers are tion, impossibly friendly. And this is comes boring and they start throw- ground. It isn’t so much an incredible getting set, then fl y in diff erent direc- one of the great selling points of ulti- ing it overhead, so that the disc starts display of skill as it is legitimate sor- tions into the empty space they’ve just mate frisbee, it’s a fi ercely competitive Ultimate fl ying vertically only to straighten out cery. It’s the sort of thing you’d see on created. sport played by very relaxed people. “If you go “ to a perfect horizontal, sailing easily Ultimate Frisbee Vine with a 2 Chainz Th e fi rst thing you notice about the Th e sport is always well-contested, Frisbee don’t to the intended target. Whatever. It’s track playing in the background and game is that there is a lot of running. but never unpleasantly so. Combined down, you’ll be probably easier than it looks. After a fi re emoji as the caption. Years of Seriously, LOTS OF RUNNING. I re- with the fact that membership is only greeted with care about warming up, we’re separated into pairs playing ball sports have conditioned ally can’t emphasise this enough: if £15 for the entire year, and players are your balls, and to practice some passing. Easy. I’ve most of us to think of aerodynamics you dislike running, this probably isn’t largely free to train and play at their open arms, done this a million times. Grab disc, and gravity in conventional terms, but the game for you. My sizeable frame own leisure, it’s not hard to see why and quickly they sure as throw disc, catch disc, repeat until Ultimate Frisbee don’t care about your is having trouble keeping up with the everyone’s so cheerful. If you go down, you’ve found something better to do. balls, and they sure as hell don’t care fresher I’ve been tasked to keep track you’ll be greeted with open arms, and informed that hell don’t care My fi rst throw sails about fi ve yards about your pathetic laws of physics. of, who evidently doesn’t have three quickly informed that a frisbee can about your to the right of my partner, who’s also After enduring a reasonable amount years worth of booze weight to carry hold three pints of lager. Just be pre- a frisbee can the captain, apparently. Good fi rst of humiliation at the hands of various and moves like the damn Roadrunner. pared to run. I still can’t feel my legs. hold three pathetic laws impression. My second throw wildly frisbee warlocks, we’re fi nally divided Soon enough, the frisbee fl ies in his Ultimate Frisbee train from 9pm- overcompensates, and goes fi ve yards into teams to play a game, where new direction, and channelling every single 10:30pm at Talybont 3G on Tuesdays, pints of lager of physics to his left. Eventually though, I chan- players are integrated alongside peo- Sunday league manager in the country, and from 2-4pm at Pontcanna Fields ” nel my inner drunken beach frisbee ple who actually know the rules. Final- I let my opponent know I’m there ear- on Wednesdays. ” It’s easy to forget that the Pro12 season well at Leinster but attacked poorly.” He Cup. Th e Blues will not play a home Anscombe, joins up with fellow Blues James Lloyd is well underway. Rugby World Cup added: “We’ve had two weeks without game at Arms Park until 7th November, players, Alex Cuthbert, Gethin Jenkins, APPLY NOW fever has hit us all, from the ‘Biggarena’ a game so it will be interesting for me where they will host Glasgow Warriors. Lloyd Williams and captain Sam phenomenon to Japan’s heroic win to see how these players come off the Cardiff Arms Park is currently being Warburton in the Wales squad. Want to be a against South Africa. break and into league action again.” used as a Rugby World Cup fanzone. Th e Blues contingent have enjoyed Cardiff Blues Cardiff Blues Head Coach, Danny Th e Blues travelled to another Irish With a capacity of 10,000 and free a solid World Cup to date, with Lloyd Wilson, has said he is encouraged by side in Connacht on Saturday, before entry, fans from all over the world have Williams providing a game winning columnist? the Blues’ early season form where they embarking on a two week break. an opportunity to soak up the electric assist in Wales’ victory against England. beat Zebre convincingly at home, but Following the hiatus, the Blues will Cardiff atmosphere and participate in Prop, Jenkins has played a vital role at slumped to defeat away at the hands of travel to Ireland twice more to face activities including a 3D scrum and a the head of the Welsh scrum, with wing email sport@ Irish Leinster. Wilson said: “It’s been a Munster and Ulster. kicking cage. Cuthbert being used as a squad player. gairrhydd. pleasing start for us. To get the fi rst win To avoid early season rustiness, the Th e Blues have a number of players Skipper Warburton has also played at home and score 11 tries and play the Blues had a training session with Bath at the Rugby World Cup including a an important part in Wales’ opening com for more rugby we did was a great start. We then Rugby as the Pro12 season stutters late call up for back, Gareth Anscombe. matches, making 27 tackles, the 13th information! went away and defended extremely through the hype of the Rugby World 24 year old, New Zealand born, most so far this World Cup. SPORT 37 Netball ready for BUCS campaign

ardiff University Netball Club Cardiff face another stiff test in Jim Harris begin their 2015/16 BUCS the South Premier Division this sea- Ccampaign at home to Th e Uni- son in the shape of fi rst teams from versity of Hertfordshire on Wednes- Bath, Brunel, Exeter, as well as newly day. Following an impressive third promoted Hertfordshire, and a Car- place fi nish in their debut season in diff Met side who completed an un- the BUCS Premier South Division and beaten 2014/15 season last time out. a resounding 47-7 Varsity win against Despite losses to some personnel over Swansea last April, “CUNC” are ex- the summer, Fraser remains buoyant: cited for what lies ahead: “I’m very “Th roughout the club there have been excited for the BUCS season to start, losses due to people graduating, the we have strong squads throughout the fi rsts have been hit hardest leaving a “We have club and are hoping to push for the top gap in the shooting circle. Although, spot ranking we held for most of last having just fi nalised teams from fresh- strong squads year,” said fi rst team player and club ers’ trials there is some new and up- tion ready for Wednesday: “We have ready to start the season.” Vice-Captain Lauren Fraser. coming talent with a couple of inter- had three weeks of pre-season which Stopping a Cardiff Met side who Pictured: throughout the “Our expectations for this season national and ex international players has consisted of a two hour ses- have won the Southern Premier Di- Cardiff ’s club and are are similar to last year with the fi rsts looking to step in.” sion every day - one hour was either vision in two of the last three years netball team hoping to maintain their top three Despite the diffi culties of training strength and conditioning or fi tness, will most likely prove Cardiff ’s tough- at Varsity 2015 hoping to push ranking in the South Premier Division during the University summer break, which was brutal, with our condition- est challenge this year, but wins over (Photographer: for the top spot and get through to some cup matches. the netball team have committed to ing coaches. After this we then had an Brunel and Exeter as well as a hard Taliesin With a similar squad to last year, we a rigorous pre-season schedule. Club hour of netball skills and match play. fought home victory against Bath last Coombes) ranking hope to replicate or improve on these captain Carys Mansfi eld said this has Our intensive pre-season has defi nite- time out suggests another top three ” results,” she added. helped the team to be in peak condi- ly got the players back up to top form fi nish is very achievable. Glamorgan CC 2015 season review

espite starting the County man was Dean Cosker, who managed CC Player of the Year and Glamor- dium. Ingram was also the club’s top Tom Hall Championship in blistering to average 48.67 in just fi ve out of 16 gan’s LV County Championship Play- all-rounder for the season- cruising Dfashion, Glamorgan fi nished County Championship matches this er of the Year. to 1712 runs in the 2015 season. “The awards the season in a very disappointing summer. And these awards were well de- Young David Lloyd, meanwhile, fourth place. It was a similar story in the bowl- served as the all-rounder smashed received the Young Player of the Year night brought Th e Welsh Dragons failed to capi- ing department, with medium pacer 1160 runs in all forms of cricket and award for his impressive contribution the curtains talise on a strong beginning, ending Andy Carter the only Glamorgan took 60 wickets this year. Wagg’s per- to both the County Championship their Second Division campaign 81 bowler in the top 25 after averaging sonal highlights included a career and one day sides. His season high- down on what points behind winners Surrey follow- a very respectable 23.31 in just four best 200 with the bat, which led his light was a classy 94 against North- ing a winless second half of the sea- games. team to an unlikely victory over Sur- amptonshire. was ultimately son. Th e absence of both Cosker and rey, and a few noteworthy records on Th e awards night brought the cur- a mixed Captain and overseas player, Carter clearly hampered Glamorgan the way as he became the fi rst num- tains down on what was ultimately Jacques Rudolph, 34, claims that a in their pursuit of silverware, vindi- ber eight to score a double hundred a mixed season for Glamorgan. But, season for lack of depth in the squad is hamper- cating what Rudolph was eluding to in the County Championship since it was one that has enabled them to Glamorgan “Toby Radford’s ing the side’s competitiveness in all when he mentioned the lack of depth. 2000. His 11 sixes in the innings also identify key areas for improvement as three formats of the game. But, that And there was further disappoint- beat the previous club record of nine. they target promotion to the fi rst di- side did could also be attributed to Glamor- ment in Glamorgan’s limited overs In T20 cricket, a match-winning vision of the County Championship. finish in a gan being unable to attract some big campaigns, fi nishing eighth in Group 53* at Kent and fi gures of 4-27 against As well as strengthening the squad, ” names from overseas. B of the One Day Cup having picked Hampshire elevated Wagg to the sta- particularly in the seam bowling de- respectable Surrey, for example, won Division up just two wins from fi ve, despite tus of leading all-rounder, with 209 partment, there have been big calls Two of the County Championship af- batsman and South African overseas runs and 13 wickets overall. from Rudolph to make the pitch at sixth place ter attracting Sri Lankan legend Ku- player Colin Ingram averaging 81. But, after accumulating a total Cardiff more of a batting wicket, with a 50 mar Sangakkara, who played a pivotal On a somewhat more positive note, of 461 runs at an average of 41.91- favouring the current Glamorgan part in their league success. Toby Radford’s side did fi nish in a re- including a fantastic 101 against side. Th at argument was given more percent win When asked about potential sign- spectable sixth place with a 50 per- Gloucestershire, it was Rudolph who weight as Glamorgan lost points in ings for the 2016 season, Rudolph cit- cent win rate in the ‘South Group’ of was named the T20 Player of the Year. limited overs cricket for pitch prob- rate in the ed the requirement for the squad to the Natwest T20 Blast. Elsewhere, Colin Ingram received a lems. ‘South Group’ gain a greater depth of seam bowlers Th ere were also a number of posi- fully deserved award for his endeav- However, bettering their eighth- as well as some additional batsmen. A tives to be taken from the season, ours in an otherwise disappointing placed fi nish in the previous season of the Natwest glance at the league’s batting averages most of which were recognised at the one day cricket season. His eff orts has led to a new found optimism T20 Blast certainly validates this statement, recent Glamorgan awards night. Gra- were epitomised by three centuries, around the SWALEC. Th e only nega- with Glamorgan only having one ham Wagg was the most decorated at including a career best 130 in front tive is that it is a full seven months ” batsman in the league’s top 30. Th at the ceremony; winning Glamorgan of the home fans at the SWALEC Sta- before the cricket season restarts. By their own standards, Cardiff have supporters who have vociferously cam- brightly and were creating clear-cut Th ere was certainly a sense that Slade’s Jamie Smith made a strong start to the new Cham- paigned for Russell Slade’s departure chances in the opening 20 minutes. men could raise their performance lev- APPLY NOW pionship season, accumulating 15 are clearly still not convinced. And un- But their tempo somewhat fi zzled out els by another gear or two if required. Want to be a points from their fi rst nine matches. derstandably so. Winning a few games after that, and what followed was a Ultimately, Cardiff need to be in the Yet, despite their reasonably impres- at the start of the season will not sud- procession of nothing balls into the box Premier League as soon as possible, Cardiff City sive form, which has seen them rise denly change their minds. along with some periods of meaning- particularly with the record-breaking columnist? into the play-off s, the Cardiff City Sta- Just look at what happened after less possession. And besides a couple £5.136bn television deal that has been dium has been rather sparse in all of Slade won his fi rst fi ve home games of incisive through balls here and there, secured for the 2016/17 season. the Bluebirds’ fi ve home league games in charge last season. Cardiff slumped the forwards lacked creativity in their At the moment, they are heading in email sport@ this season. into a rut of inconsistency and ended build-up play. the right direction so Slade deserves With the average attendance at up in 11th place. So it is hardly surpris- Having said that, they always looked some credit at least- regardless of how gairrhydd. home matches approximately 14,341, ing that a level of scepticism continues in control of the match and, perhaps well Cardiff have performed. com for more less than half of the 33,280 capacity, to exist amongst some supporters. deliberately, slowed the game down to And their chances of reaching the fans are clearly not interested. But why? Alternatively, it could be the style sap the energy out of a Charlton side top fl ight will surely be boosted by a information! Th e substantial contingencies of of play. Against Charlton, they started that had been mostly on the back foot. proliferation in home support. 38 SPORT Coach’s Corner: Louie Tonkin

oach’s Corner is a new weekly standard really, we did have a really whole scale of the event. To go up to What are your targets this year, James Lloyd feature to Gair Rhydd, where good season and Varsity is always a Swansea and get a big result like that what areas would you like to im- Pictured: Cwe will be interviewing a Car- priority for us. We want to take the was massive, because they loaded prove? Tonkin (L) with diff University sports coach. Th is BUCS leagues much more competi- their team with Premiership guys, but In the league we have to pick up some winning Varsity week, Head of Rugby, Louie Tonkin tively this season as well. we stuck to our morals and picked more away wins - we picked up six captain Ben met up with Gair Rhydd to discuss his We’re in the BUCS Premiership boys who had played for us all year. home wins last year, we won all our Madgwick (R) side’s 2015/16 ambitions and recaps South which is the profi le competi- Th e score fl attered them a bit; we home games against all the big sides, (Photographer: the epic Varsity win against Swansea tion in the UK so we want to compete were 27-10 up but we let them back but we only picked up an away win Taliesin in April. with the best teams in there. We were into it which made it quite competi- against Bristol. We want to maintain Coombes) third in our league last year out of tive for the last ten minutes, but we our home form; we haven’t lost at Lla- Good luck for the new season, how seven so that was a great achievement grabbed the win and it was a great day nrumney for 18 months and we want are preparations going? and we qualifi ed for the national play- and a great couple of days afterwards to make sure we get a home draw in Yeah great so far, we’ve been in camp off s. We were unlucky to draw one as well as you can imagine. the play-off s which to do we have to for about fi ve weeks, inviting an elite of the strongholds of Loughborough fi nish top two in the league, so that’s a squad to train pre term. Th ey are away, which was probably the worst With players leaving, have you re- huge, huge goal for us. working really, really hard, we have draw we could have got, it was a great cruited suitable replacements? We fi nished third last year which been lucky this year as we have had a experience as we only lost 19-16 and Yeah - fi rst of all, when I joined in June meant going away to Loughborough. number of returners. it was a young team that year with lots 2014, I went out straight away, out to a If we pick up a top two fi nish, I’m I think 80 per cent of our Varsity of fi rst years and second years. Th is lot of rugby schools and colleges try- confi dent that we can beat anyone squad from last year are all coming year we have a lot of second and third ing to get some talent in. We worked at home, so that’s the biggest goal “Varsity was the back and we have been in touch with years so see if we can go one better hard for a year and recruited 17 elite to start with. I want the second and a number of talented freshers, who this time around. squad guys to come in. Th ey are very third teams to be more competitive best coaching have just started term, so we have a young, but they have brought a real as well. experience of really good mix of 50 strong in our What happened in the game at edge to training already. At the moment our fi rst team is on My objective elite squad, so things are going really Loughborough? We lost three or four key guys, par- par with strong rugby universities, “ my life, by a well. We did really, really well and we were ticularly Rory Martyn-Smith, our star but underneath our second team, as is to push mile, it was a bit unlucky - maybe it was a game of Varsity is out in Hong Kong, but an example is playing Cardiff Met’s Do you have to make cuts to the too far with a young squad, but it we’ve got some really good kids com- fourth team, so that’s the league the seconds amazing elite squad? was a great experience for my boys. I ing into our group and like I say a lot standard they are in at the moment. and thirds up Yeah last year we ran an elite squad of wanted to make sure they were com- of second and third years so hopefully My objective is to push the seconds 30 to 35 each month. Th e way it would petitive against all the top teams: we we will be strong and we have got a and thirds up through the rankings through the ” work would be that we have an elite beat Hartpury; we beat Exeter; we lot more depth in our elite squad this and make sure they are up there rankings and squad, a development squad and a beat Cardiff Met; we beat Bath; we year. We had a strong fi rst team last with all the other universities as well, freshers squad and they multi-change beat Bristol; we beat them all at home. year, but underneath we didn’t have a keeping us strong underneath. We make sure every single month. We try and keep Loughborough away was just too big lot of elite depth. Th is year we have have hundreds of players at the uni things fresh and give guys an opportu- of an ask in front of a big home crowd got a lot of elite level depth, so the who want to play. they are up nity to push through the club. on a Wednesday afternoon - we had whole club will benefi t from that. there with It’s really important to give play- to go up and down on the same day To fi nish off , what was your take on ers in the development squad and and it was a diffi cult task for us. How do you go about recruiting? England versus Wales and how will all the other the freshers’ squad opportunities and If we keep fi t this year and we go up It’s a mixture really: academies; rugby Wales fare now for the rest of the pathways to push up through the club, there again we can do better - we were schools; Millfi eld; Colston’s, places tournament? universities as this year it’s quite big as we have 50 one score away last year for 80 min- like that. We have open days over It was intense wasn’t it? I wouldn’t well, keeping players, but we will be cutting down utes so it was close. there where we run rugby talks, it’s want to be an Englishman in Cardiff to about 35 or 40 in the next couple just working hard really to promote this week. I think Wales were lucky us strong “We want of weeks before BUCS starts on the Welsh Varsity was the team’s fi rst Cardiff University as a rugby strong- to pick up the win in the end, but underneath. 14th October; we have Bath at home, Varsity win since 2012, that was hold. We are in the top leagues, over that group [A] is crazy and it’s going to take the which is a big one for us. massive wasn’t it? the years we have been shadowed a to go down to the wire. It’s going to We have We should have beaten them twice It was awesome, it was my fi rst Var- bit by places like Cardiff Met, Lough- come down to points diff erence, and I BUCS leagues last year - we lost last try of the game sity, my fi rst year in the job last year borough and Hartpury, who are per- think England and Australia might go hundreds of much more down there, but we didn’t lose at so from my perspective. I’ve coached formance sports institutes. We don’t through on points diff erence - that’s players at the home at fi rst team level. in the Welsh Premiership, in other run sports degrees, so we’ve been per- my prediction. Wales are battered competitively leagues, internationals and things, ceived as second best. and they are all stuck together with uni who want this season You had a good season last year, but that [Varsity] was the best coach- I want to change that; we are an tape - they can’t aff ord to lose any- to play how can you build on that? ing experience of my life, by a mile, it academic university but we take our more key players - one or two more ” I think it’s just keeping the same was amazing, absolutely amazing, the performance sport very seriously. injuries and it will be lights out really. ” SPORT 39 Cont’d: Wales remain undefeated against the odds

Th e Fiji game was always going to be fi cation could well be determined by a against England catapulted him to leg- but his absence is unquestionably not a huge test for Warren Gatland’s side solitary point. endary status amongst Welsh fans and as detrimental as so many had feared Pictured: having had just four days rest after Ruthlessness from the boot has three games in to the World Cup, Big- it would be. Biggar on his Continued the bruising encounter with England tended to be a valuable asset for Wales gar is the leading tournament point Wales’ dream to reach a fi rst ever way to kicking from back and it proved just as much. Tries for in years gone by, so when Leigh Half- scorer and is yet to miss a kick at goal. Rugby World Cup Final is still on and 13 points page Gareth Davies and Scott Baldwin penny was stretchered off late on Elsewhere, Gareth Davies has their future in the competition still against Fiji. helped Wales to a 23-13 win, but the against Italy and consigned to watch been in inspiring form at scrum-half. lies fi rmly in their own hands. A win (Photographer: performance was far from convincing the rest of the tournament from the Davies, another who may not have against Australia at Twickenham this Dan Rowley) and many of the players looked physi- stands, questions were immediately been given much opportunity in a Saturday would secure a spot at the Below: cally exhausted by the time of the full raised as to whether Dan Biggar could full-strength squad, has four tries - in- top of Pool A and a quarter fi nal clash American time whistle. Given that England had step in and provide the same cutting cluding one memorable score under against the eventual runners-up in Football at last claimed a bonus point over the Fijians edge. Th ere is no question however, the posts at Twickenham - and has Pool B. However, defeat could leave year’s Varsity in their encounter, Wales can perhaps that the Ospreys fl y-half has been the proved a constant irritation to oppos- them with a highly anticipated clash (Photographer: be disappointed that they were unable star of the tournament for Wales. His ing defences. Losing Rhys Webb still with South Africa, or worse, staring Taliesien to do the same in a pool in where quali- record-breaking 23-point performance remains a disappointment for Wales, down the barrel of an early elimination. Coombes) 2016 Varsity to be held in Swansea

he 2016 instalment of Th e Welsh sity and Swansea University are pitted Football, Cricket and Netball, among mosphere last year and organiser’s will Jim Harris Varsity will once again be com- against each other to do battle for the others. hope that the same can be created in Tpeted in Swansea. Th e nation’s highly coveted Welsh Varsity Shield. Th e 2016 Men’s Rugby clash will 2016. second city hosted the event earlier Cardiff retained the Varsity Shield again take place inside Swansea City’s this year for the fi rst time since 2010 in 2015 with a resounding 25-13 win, 20,000 seater Liberty Stadium and and following the success of the event, making it 14 successive wins since its will provide a fi tting venue for Louie Cardiff University Athletic Union have introduction in 2002. Th e highlight Tonkin’s men to attempt to defend their confi rmed that the biggest sporting of the day, without doubt, came in- Varsity crown. festival in South Wales will return to side Swansea’s Liberty Stadium, where Over 30 of the University’s sports Sketty Lane. Cardiff recorded only their sixth Var- clubs will again compete in 2016, with For the Freshers intrigued, Varsity sity win in the Men’s Rugby. Th e 26-20 many Cardiff clubs already eyeing up a is a day of sporting competition held score-line rounded off a sensational day special ‘away day’ victory. For the thou- around April-time in which represent- of sporting success for Cardiff Univer- sands of travelling supporters, the short ative sports teams from Cardiff Univer- sity, which also saw wins for American trip up the M4 made for a special at- Editors: Jim Harris James Lloyd Jason Roberts Jamie Smith @GairRhyddSport [email protected] sport gairrhydd.com/sport October sport in Cardiff

Sunday October 11th Rugby World Cup: France v Ireland Millennium Stadium, 16:45 A huge clash that will probably decide which team will top Group D, and which will be the runner up. Th e winner will most likely be avoiding the dreaded All Blacks at the quarter fi nal stage.

Tuesday October 13th Euro 2016 qualifi er: Wales v Andorra Cardiff City Stadium, 19:45 Failing to secure a point in Bosnia, Chris Coleman’s side will have to win against the Pyrenean minnows to qualify for their fi rst major tournament since 1954.

Saturday October 17th Rugby World Cup: Quarter fi nal Millennium Stadium, 20:00 It’s the second of the four quarter fi nals, as the win- ners of Group C take on the runner up of Group D. Most likely to be New Zealand v France. Sunday October 18th Rugby World Cup: Quarter fi nal Millennium Stadium, 13:00 Th e third quarter fi nal, will match the winner of Group D with Group C’s runner up - this will most likely be Ireland v Argentina. Tuesday October 20th Football: Cardiff City v Middlesbrough Cardiff City Stadium, 19:45 A tough task for a revitalised City who come up against a strong ‘Boro team. Also in this week’s Rugby World Cup: A catch Gair Rhydd Sport up on Wales’ campaign With the Rugby World Cup well underway, and everyone in ‘Biggarena’ spirit, Gair Rhydd assesses the big talking points from Wales’ opening three matches, and their hopes for the rest of the tournament

Against Uruguay, Gatland made out suff ering a serious injury. Jim Harris nine changes from the side that faced Six days after their resounding vic- Pictured: Interview: Louie Tonkin, CURFC Head Italy a week previously and despite tory over the South American min- Wales in Pool A he 2015 Rugby World Cup is resting key personnel in the shape of nows, Wales headed to Twickenham action against of Rugby P38>> in full swing and Wales have Gethin Jenkins, Alun Wyn Jones and to take on an England side still revel- England. Tone foot in the quarter fi nals Taulupe Faletau, the hosts were still ling in their impressive bonus point (Photographer: following an unbeaten start to Pool able to run in eight tries in front of victory over Fiji on the opening day. Sum_of_Marc/ A. A convincing 54-9 victory over a near-sell-out Millennium Stadium England’s home advantage meant fl ickr) Uruguay got Wales off to the best of crowd. Cory Allen’s hat-trick was the they went in to the match as slight starts; however their tournament has stand-out moment in Wales’ opener favourites and looked, for the fi rst 60 unquestionably been defi ned by the and whilst the victory sent Gatland’s minutes at least, as if they would pro- remarkable 28-25 win against Eng- men to the top of Pool A, it was Al- duce the win. However, it was Wales land at Twickenham nine days ago. len‘s tournament-ending hamstring and Dan Biggar’s right boot that left Injuries to key men Leigh Half- injury that stole the headlines. Th e South London with the valuable four penny and Rhys Webb prior to the injury woes have been a constant points. Wales’ resilience and ability tournament’s commencement, had setback to preparations, with fi ve of to keep within a score proved invalu- led many to believe that Wales would the original 31-man squad already able as the visitors took advantage struggle to get out of a pool consist- ruled out for the rest of the compe- of England’s ill-discipline late on to ing of hosts England and Rugby tition. So whilst they were unable break the hearts of the home crowd. Championship winners Australia. to secure what would have been an Th e Welsh dominated the fi nal quar- But Warren Gatland’s side have de- enormous bonus point win against ter, before Biggar’s 75th minute pen- fi ed the odds and responded mag- Fiji last Th ursday, the Welsh will be alty gave Wales the lead for the fi rst We have a go at Ultimate Frisbee nifi cently under the increased cyni- delighted at getting through an 80 time and doomed the hosts to a pain- Continued on cism. minute match this World Cup with- ful fi rst World Cup defeat. page 39 P36>>